Troy, Mich., Mayor Fired From Day Job For Homophobic Remarks

Last week mayor Janice Daniels of Troy, Mich., garnered media attention for homophobic comments she made on Facebook six months ago. After New York City legalized gay marriage Daniels wrote, "I think I am going to throw away my I Love New York carrying bag now that queers can get married there."

Once her comments made the national news, Daniels took to Facebook again and wrote that her post "may have not been the most appropriate language," the Detroit News reported

"It's my persona belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. I love people, but I want to acknowledge my First Amendment right to speak freely. I know that as mayor, I represent all of the people in this city."

Her "apologies" were not good enough for her regular employer, Century 21, which announced that they have fired Daniels, according to the Daily Tribune.

"The owner stated that he can have no one in his company, either employee or independent contractor, who would be capable of such insensitivity to the LGBT community, or to anyone for that matter," said spokeswoman for Century 21, Nancy Robinson.

Daniels posted the comment before she was elected mayor of Troy last month but Equality Michigan Executive Denise Brogan-Kator says Daniels' remark was out of line, reported the Advocate in a Dec. 8 article.

"When we start attacking each other with slurs, and degrading others as human beings, it crosses the line," Brogan-Kator said.

With 8,000 real estate agents across the country, Century 21 is one of the largest such franchises in the United States. In many areas, its signposts dominate home sales.