South Carolina Lesbian Police Chief Reinstated Despite Homophobic Mayor's Continued Attempts to Oust Her

There's another, and hopefully final, twist in the story of Crystal Moore, the out Latta, S.C. police chief fired by the mayor for being a lesbian. After the mayor fired her, the town voted to reinstate her, only to have the mayor hire someone else in her place. Here's the breakdown. 

After serving the town for 23 years, Moore was fired on April 15, by homophobic Mayor Earl Bullard. Residents of the small town reacted with disbelief over the termination of their police chief and began protesting the decision immediately. Moore was fired after Bullard, who began term as mayor in January, presented her with seven written reprimands and fired her for not signing immediately.

Later, residents made their voices heard in a special vote called on by the city council on June 24. Residents voted overwhelmingly to strip the mayor of some power and reinstate Moore to police chief. Just as things were looking up for Moore, Bullard made one last attempt to prevent someone "whose lifestyle is questionable" from being police chief.

In a stunning move, Bullard announced June 25 that a new police chief had been chosen. This announcement came just days before losing the power to make that decision and effectively blocking Moore from being police chief. Yet, on Friday, the City Council had the final say.

The City Council voted 6-0 to reinstate Moore to her position, which is only possible following the vote by residents to change government from mayor-strong to council-strong. The town’s 1,357 residents have gotten what they wanted.
According to Los Angeles Times, the vote to reinstate Moore also invalidated the contract Mayor Earl Bullard had with Freddie Davis, who was set to be the new police chief.
"This has been an awesome outcome for our little town," Moore told Los Angeles Times. “Hopefully, things will settle down and I can get back to doing my job.”