Watch: Firefighter Says He Was Forced Out for Being Gay

Firefighter Scott Phillips-Gartner was an exemplary member of Virginia's Norfolk Fire Rescue team for decades – since 1991, in fact – and rose through the ranks from 911 operator to full-fledged firefighter and senior bomb squad member.

Then, suddenly, he didn't seem to be so highly esteemed by his superiors. In short order, he lost his rank and access to his city-issued computer and other equipment and was denied routine job training. He also claims that his superiors harassed him. Eventually, Phillips-Gartner told the media, he was forced out of the department and into retirement though he was only in his mid-50s.

What changed? Phillips-Gartner says nothing... except that his colleagues learned he was gay after his 2014 marriage to his boyfriend, reported local newspaper the Virginian-Pilot. It was after he disclosed his nuptials – and, in the process, his status as a gay man – that Battalion Chief Roger Burris started to make insulting remarks to him, at one point asking after "Ms. Gartner," the article reported.

Phillips-Gartner decided to report this alleged nonprofessional conduct to Fire Chief Jeffrey Wise, only for Wise to reportedly begin to "belittle" the fireman on a regular basis, the article said.

A suit level at the city seeks damages for a "hostile work environment," according to a Associated Press story. After three years of enduring the alleged "hostile work environment," news station WAVY reported, Phillips-Gartner was ordered to surrender his firearm and cell phone and also "retire his service dog."

The suit alleges the "hostile work environment" constitutes sexual harassment stemming from the fact that Phillips-Gartner is gay, WAVY reported.

Fire department officials declined to comment, the WAVY story noted.

Watch the WAVY report below.