Kirk brings new suit against pastor, Republican leader
By NewsPress Now
A St. Joseph pastor has brought a new civil lawsuit against a local Republican Party leader and the head of another church in town following the dismissal of a previous case.
Brian Kirk has filed the suit in Jackson County against Steven Greiert, who is the chairman of the Buchanan County Republican Central Committee, and Josh Blevins, pastor at Grace Calvary Chapel, alleging the two made defamatory comments about him that were published and broadcast throughout Missouri. The Buchanan County Republican Party and Grace Evangelical Church also are named as defendants in the case.
Kirk, the pastor at First Christian Church in St. Joseph, contends in the suit that actions by the two men caused the St. Joseph City Council not to renew his tenure as a St. Joseph Public Library board member last year because he is gay and an advocate for LGBTQ people.
In the suit, Kirk alleges Blevins and Greiert claimed he “presented a danger to society and children because he would try to ‘indoctrinate’ other people and children into becoming part of the LGBTQ community while on the Library Board.”
He also contends Greiert emailed Mayor John Josendale to block his reappointment to the board, stating “If you choose to renew the appointment of Pastor Kirk and the continuation of the left-leaning majority that has existed on that Board for a long time, then we will know whom to hold accountable and whom we can no longer trust to lead the city.”
Comments by the two men aired on radio station KCUR and the newspaper The Pitch, both of which are situated in Jackson County, according to the lawsuit.
For their part, Blevins and Greiert have filed a motion to have the case transferred to Buchanan County Circuit Court, which they contend is the proper venue for the lawsuit.
Kirk initially filed a discrimination and defamation lawsuit at the beginning of the year in Buchanan County that later was moved to federal court. That suit, which also named the city of St. Joseph and councilmembers as defendants, was dismissed by a judge in October. The city and its officials are not named in the new lawsuit.
In the new suit, Kirk seeks recovery of damages along with compensatory and consequential damages for emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life and other pain and suffering. He also asks for the adoption of a formal written policy by the St. Joseph City Council that will instruct members on the appropriate qualifications when deciding all future board nominations to exclude violating the constitutional rights of those who apply or are nominated.
A case management conference is set in the suit for 9 a.m. on March 3.
