Does the Texas Renaissance Festival Have a Discrimination Problem?

The Texas Renaissance Festival might be fun and games for many guests, but one woman is claiming there is a discrimination problem at the event.

Jennifer Gorsche is seeking damages after she was allegedly fired because of gender and racial discrimination issues. Gorsche worked as the festival’s media relations director starting in 2012. She claims that her boss, George Coulam repeatedly showed inappropriate behavior. He allegedly called her “cupcake” on numerous occasions, and requested that she help members of the media “get laid,” so that they would write positive reviews about the festival.

In addition to these sexist attitudes, Coulam allegedly also expressed feelings of racial prejudice. He reportedly told her he was happy about the festival’s lack of racial diversity, and once even criticized her for her interracial marriage.

She claims that after filing a complaint she was promptly fired from her position.

Does Your Employer Have a Discrimination Problem?

If what the case claims is true, then this business is in violation of the law. Repeated crude comments are a form of sexual harassment, which is a serious crime. Additionally, her employer’s attitude toward hiring minority employees could violate race discrimination laws. Finally, it also against the law to fire or punish an employee for filing a discrimination or sexual harassment claim, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

Dan A. Atkerson is a Dallas employment lawyer who fights passionately on behalf of victims of sexual harassment, discrimination and other forms of workplace injustice.