Cochran wrote a religious book titled “Who Told You That You Are Naked?” which described homosexuality as “unclean” and grouped it with bestiality.

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Attorneys with the faith-based nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom represented Cochran and filed the suit on Feb. 20, 2015.

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran speaks about his termination during news conference.

In a letter distributed to his supporters, Reed defending the firing and said Cochran did not get the required clearance to write the book. He also said Cochran compromised his ability to oversee gay employees and put the city at risk of discrimination claims.

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The city found no evidence during its investigation of Cochran that his beliefs had played a role in his leadership.

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