Eric Moutsos, Utah Officer Who Resigned After Objecting To Gay Pride Parade Assignment, Speaks Out

A former Salt Lake City police officer who was put on leave and later resigned after he objected to riding in the motorcycle brigade at the front of last year’s gay pride parade is speaking out against what he believes was a violation of his religious liberties.

Eric Moutsos, 33, said Wednesday that he was unfairly branded a bigot despite simply asking to swap roles and work a different part of the parade in June 2014. Moutsos, a Mormon, said he felt uncomfortable doing what he considered celebratory circles with other motorcycles leading the parade because of his religious views. But he said he never refused to work the parade.

“It looks like we and I are in support of this parade,” Moutsos said he told superiors about being in the motor brigade. “I said I would feel the same way if this was an abortion parade. I would feel the same way if it was a marijuana parade.”

His attorney, Bret Rawson, said they have not made a decision about a possible lawsuit over the handling of the situation.

Moutsos acknowledged that he could have been more diplomatic in his conversations with superiors. But he doesn’t regret asserting his beliefs.

“I used to be quite the hellion back in my day, and I found what I believe is God kind of later in my life,” Moutsos said. “Now, I have such a strong, deep faith in Him . . . He and I love people, but I do not advocate certain things in people’s lives. In this parade, there were messages that I don’t advocate.”

The Huffington Post