A St Louis County Police Sergeant obtained a 20 million dollar award after the the department declined to promote him because he was gay. He was told by a police commissioner that if he ever wanted to be promoted, “he needed to tone down his gayness.”

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jury-awards-nearly-20-million-to-police-sergeant-14567748.php

No good deed goes unpunished. I suspect that the police commissioner was offering advice. Instead the comment was used as a club.

I have no way to verify that this was the sergeant’s manner of dress when he went before the promotion board. Carmen Miranda pulled it off. Why not him?

Then again, there is something to be said for 20 million.

The guy held the rank of sergeant. His evaluations indicate that he was effective in that position. Apparently his subordinates didn’t have a problem with his orientation. The decision not to promote him may be more about his ability to fit in the “good old boys club” than job knowledge and leadership.