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| Lawyer Dresses Like Clown And Acts Weird, Sues For Harassment. Also Gay. |
| 2006-06-10 |
| A Vancouver lawyer says he was harassed by people at his law firm for "being a snappy dresser and too friendly and too gay." His harassment complaint led to him being told to stay home until the complaint was settled. "I've been exiled from the firm and I don't know what's happening with my law practice and my clients," Joseph Briante, who has been put on paid leave, told The Province. Briante, 31, joined Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP -- an international firm and the largest in the city -- in October. He said he experienced a constant barrage of uninvited comments about his sexual orientation and the way he dresses from some people at the firm. "You should be able to walk down the hallway without people cursing or hissing at you, giving you dirty looks or making comments that have nothing to do with your performance," he said, describing some of his colleagues as "highly educated people acting like children." The firm said yesterday it does not tolerate harassment and is hiring an external investigator to look into Briante's allegations. Briante said he was advised on June 1 at a meeting with his mentor that there was a complaint about his mannerisms and dress and that he should make more of an effort to look and act "professionally" in the office. "I got in trouble for being a snappy dresser and too friendly and too gay," he said. Briante said he's friendly and calls his style "Etro-sexual." Etro is an Italian designer. Briante always wears a suit and a brightly coloured shirt and tie to work. Briante says he's bisexual but doesn't discuss his sex life at work. After last week's meeting, Briante sent an e-mail to his colleagues -- 140 lawyers and 300 support staff -- urging them to help build a more tolerant working environment. "It appears that some basic education on respect, tolerance and emotional intelligence in the workplace is required," he wrote, ". . . where a colourful, slick and stylish manner of dress, a friendly demeanour, winning smile and alleged homosexual propensities are considered 'unprofessional.' This is simply unacceptable." The letter referred to harassment but didn't name perpetrators. The note has since become a sort of chain letter and has reached lawyers worldwide. "Your open letter has made it as far as our small practice in the Central Australian Desert," wrote lawyer Simon Kenny. "Good on you for having the courage to stand up and say what you mean. "If more people in the big firms had your courage then the profession would be much healthier." Briante said he received about 50 supportive messages before he was locked out of his office e-mail. On Monday, managing partner William Westeringh and Briante's mentor visited him at his Kitsilano home and gave him a pamphlet on mental illness and counselling offered through the firm. "The managing partner told me I was a 'very troubled young man,'" Briante said. Briante called the comments on his mental health "unwelcome" and "insulting." On Tuesday, Briante received a letter from Westeringh that said: "In light of all of these events, I am of the view that it would be best that you remain away from the office until such time as the investigation has been completed. This is the classic "Free Your Mind" bogus argument. That is, pretense towards victimization for race or sex or sexual preference after dressing and behaving in a bizarre and improper manner. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #6 Hey everybody! Look at meeeeeeeeeee! |
| Posted by: Joseph Briante 2006-06-10 22:03 |
| #5 I heard of a shyster who sued himself and won. |
| Posted by: Snump Ebbons4287 2006-06-10 20:26 |
| #4 "You should be able to walk down the hallway without people cursing or hissing at you, giving you dirty looks or making comments that have nothing to do with your performance," he said, describing some of his colleagues as "highly educated people acting like children." Ruck up Joe and move to Georgia or Texas. It will be all better here. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-06-10 16:35 |
| #3 Pointed out for being too gay? Mr. Garrison had a similar scam in one "South Park" episode. Is there a gerbil involved in that one too? |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-06-10 16:33 |
| #2 Queer eye for the law firm guy. |
| Posted by: Mike 2006-06-10 15:48 |
| #1 Snappy is the new flamboyant! |
| Posted by: Raj 2006-06-10 13:13 |