Former minor league umpire suing MLB; says he was fired for being bisexual, harassed by female colleague

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Brandon Cooper, a former minor league umpire, is suing Major League Baseball, claiming a female colleague both sexually harassed him and used homophobic slurs toward him.

Cooper also says that he was discriminated against, and eventually fired, because he is bisexual, while also saying that MLB has a "gender and racial diversity issue."

The suit says that Gina Quartararo, who currently umpires in the Florida State League, made crude remarks toward Cooper after finding out about his sexual orientation.

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A general view of the MLB logo on the on deck circle during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Sept. 18, 2023 in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Cooper also said he told Billy Bean, MLB’s senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, that Quartararo's harassment was also physical.

When Cooper notified Dusty Dellinger, senior manager of umpire administration, of the misconduct, he was told he had to go to sensitivity training and was accused of violating the minor league anti-discrimination and harassment policy, the suit says.

Cooper said he was skipped for the playoffs and fired in October, and he claimed he was the only one let go from among 26 umpires in the group that was hired.

The lawsuit says that Cooper was told that the league had to include at least two women among 10 new hires, and women and minority candidates had to be hired first.

A general view of an umpires hand picking up a ball during the second inning between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April