Some 30 years ago, Los Angeles assistant police chief Robert Vernon was denied being promoted to chief of police based on the complaints of the homosexual community of California.  This group went to Mr. Vernon's church and observed sermons preached there condemning homosexuality as sin.  On this basis they lobbied the City Council to deny Mr. Vernon the promotion.  A history of these events can be found here.

Mr. Vernon's case ultimately went to the courts, with the outcome that he did not become the chief of police of Los Angeles.

Now in Atlanta we have a similar case with fired fire chief of Atlanta Kelvin Cochran, but with one great difference.  Mr. Cochran has chosen to file a discrimination lawsuit against his antagonists.  The details can be seen here. 

Over the interim of some 30 years, offended special interest groups have used hate crime and anti-discrimination laws to put their supposed tormentors on the defensive.  Can the Atlanta fire chief case mark the turning of the tide on just who is the offended and who is the tormentor?