Gay Man Alleges Female Ex-Boss Harassed Him

As final preparations were being made for the opening of the California Science Center, a gay man has filed a $10-million sexual harassment suit against his former boss--a woman who is the center’s personnel director.

Bruce Eddins claimed in his complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, that he was subjected to repeated sexual overtures from his female boss at what then was known as the California Museum of Science and Industry. Named as defendants were the state of California, the center and museum and its personnel director, Gwen Scott-Taylor.

Civil rights attorney Melanie E. Lomax said she believed it was the first time a sexual harassment suit had been filed by a gay man against a heterosexual female supervisor. She said her client is 34 and Scott-Taylor is 57.

An attorney for the center, Ronald N. Wilson, said he had not seen the suit. But, he said, an internal investigation of Eddins’ allegations found them to be “without merit.” “We could not substantiate any of his claims,” Wilson said. “We couldn’t find witnesses. We couldn’t find any documentation.”

Eddins worked as Scott-Taylor’s assistant. According to the suit, the alleged harassment began in October 1996 and continued until his termination the following June. Eddins claimed he requested transfers seven times while the alleged harassment intensified.

For the first three months, Lomax said, Scott-Taylor was not aware that her assistant was gay. After she learned of his sexual orientation, her actions became threatening and punitive, according to the complaint.

In an interview, Eddins said such treatment made him feel “helpless” and “stupid.” He said he was made to feel that his supervisor was attempting to make it a condition of his employment that he please her sexually.

Later, the suit stated, she openly discussed his sexual orientation with co-workers, stating that she considered homosexuality “an abomination” and asserting that she “cannot stand weak men.”

Eventually, Eddins said, he was fired without notice.

Museum attorney Wilson said Eddins had been hired only as a temporary employee. The lawyer denied Eddins was fired, saying that his contract had run out.

“We expect to be vindicated in court,” Wilson said.

Lomax said Eddins’ complaints were not investigated seriously. Instead, she said, Eddins was told by museum officials that the situation was “messy” and that he would “have to bear the brunt of it.”

She said she believes his complaints weren’t taken seriously because he is a man.

“There’s a belief that men are better at tolerating sexual harassment than women,” Lomax said. “They’re not.”

Eddins is seeking reinstatement and punitive damages.