Story perspectives

Florida Bar fires IT worker over racist Instagram threats

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 12:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Florida Bar terminated IT employee Kade McLendon for sending racist, homophobic Instagram messages to Miami lineman Damon Wilson II.
Wilson posted twelve screenshots that showed slurs, rape threats and segregation language.
The Bar placed McLendon on administrative leave on Oct. 19 while investigating.
McLendon denied the messages, claimed his account was hacked, and offered no proof.

History

Historical Context

In July 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which barred employment discrimination after a 73-27 Senate vote. The 2020 Supreme Court rulings in Bostock and similar cases extended Title VII to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Florida Bar’s 2024 firing of IT staffer Kade McLendon for racist, homophobic Instagram messages enforces that legacy.

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Story summary

Florida Bar terminated IT employee Kade McLendon for sending racist, homophobic Instagram messages to Miami lineman Damon Wilson II.
Wilson posted twelve screenshots that showed slurs, rape threats and segregation language.
The Bar placed McLendon on administrative leave on Oct. 19 while investigating.
McLendon denied the messages, claimed his account was hacked, and offered no proof.

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