LA County Told Christian Engineer to Get Mental Health Help Instead of Granting Religious Accommodation

Christian Engineer Sues LA County After Being Denied Religious Exemption From Pride Flag Display

A senior civil engineer with 24 years of service at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has filed a federal lawsuit after the county repeatedly denied his request for a religious accommodation during Pride Month.

Eric Batman, who supervises flood control and stormwater facilities in Alhambra, California, asked to work remotely during June when the county flies the Progress Pride flag at its government buildings. His request was based on his sincerely held Christian beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The lawsuit was filed on March 11, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal organization, is representing Batman.

In 2023, Batman successfully worked remotely during June while his building was under construction. However, when he formally requested the same accommodation for religious reasons in 2024 and 2025, county officials denied him both times.

Instead of granting his request, officials told Batman to use the "back door" to avoid seeing the flag or to seek "mental health counseling" if the Pride flag caused him distress.

They wouldn't give it to him because the county said 'Our interest is in inclusivity regardless of whether or not that includes you.'

Daniel Schmid, Liberty Counsel attorney

The lawsuit alleges the county has allowed other employees religious accommodations for other observances, including remote work during Ramadan, but discriminated against Batman for his Christian convictions.

Forcing employees to violate their faith in the workplace is offensive to the First Amendment. When the state compels employees to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs, it crosses a constitutional line.

Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman

The case cites violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. This is the second lawsuit targeting the county's 2023 policy requiring all departments to fly the Progress Pride flag throughout June.

LA County Faces Second Federal Lawsuit Over Mandatory Pride Flag Policy and Religious Freedom

In May 2024, Jeffrey Little, an evangelical Christian county lifeguard, filed a similar lawsuit through the Thomas More Society after being required to work near the flag. That case remains ongoing.

The county's Pride flag policy originated from a 2023 Board of Supervisors vote. Board Chair Janice Hahn stated at the time:

Here in Los Angeles County we're making our position clear: in the largest county in the nation, LGBTQ+ residents have the unwavering support of their government.

Janice Hahn, LA County Board Chair

Batman's complaint argues that his accommodation request "would not have hindered the County's own desire to celebrate something that required Batman to tacitly and explicitly endorse something that violates his religious convictions."

The Crusader's Opinion

Let's call this what it is. A man gave 24 years of faithful service to his county, and when he asked for the simple dignity of working from home for one month so he wouldn't be forced to walk under a flag that contradicts everything he believes, they told him to go see a therapist. They told him to sneak in the back door like a second class citizen in his own workplace.

Meanwhile, other employees get religious accommodations with no questions asked. The county will bend over backwards for every belief system on earth except Christianity. That is not inclusivity. That is targeted exclusion of Christians dressed up in rainbow colors.

If a Muslim employee asked not to work under a banner celebrating something forbidden in Islam, would they be told to seek mental health counseling? We all know the answer.

Take Action

• Support Liberty Counsel's legal defense of Eric Batman and other persecuted Christians at lc.org
• Contact the LA County Board of Supervisors to demand equal religious accommodations for all employees: (213) 974 1411
• Share this story on social media to raise awareness about workplace religious discrimination against Christians
• Pray for Eric Batman and his family as they stand firm in their faith against government overreach
• Support The Shepherd's Shield to help defend persecuted Christians worldwide at www.TheShepherdsShield.org