Bourne firefighter loses job after posting anti-gay slurs on Facebook

Bourne, Massachusetts firefighter Richard Doherty recently lost his job after posting anti-gay insults on Facebook last summer directed at Bourne police officers, his deputy fire chief, and the town.

"Firefighter Doherty has disqualified himself from the ability to serve as a firefighter because he elected to post on the Internet a message that causes the public to question whether he can serve all of its citizens," said Town Administrator Thomas Guarino.

WHDH-TV reported that Doherty has since moved out of the town.

"The town of Bourne wouldn't tolerate that kind of mindset from employees. We send out a message that we want them to be professional and we support the town administrator," John Ford, Bourne Board of Selectmen, told WHDH. "I don't take anything personally. This is a job -- we take it serious. We want to protect the reputation of the fire department -- we've got an excellent fire department, and we want to protect the reputation of the town of Bourne."

The firefighters union is expected to appeal the decision.

Spokesman Gil Taylor told WHDH, "Mr. Doherty is not a racist, bigot, [anti-gay], nor anti-special needs as the town alleges. He has never provided substandard service or patient care to anyone regardless of his personal feelings."