ATLANTA (AP) — Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has filed a federal complaint against the city claiming he was discriminated against because of his religion.

Mayor Kasim Reed recently fired Cochran over comments in his self-published book “Who Told You That You Were Naked.” The book characterizes homosexuality as “vulgar” and “a sexual perversion.”

City spokeswoman Anne Torres says the city plans to defend the mayor’s decision.

Reed has said he didn’t dismiss the fire chief for his religious views, but for not obeying the rules, including not getting clearance to write the book.

Cochran, who’s a deacon at Elizabeth Baptist Church, says he got permission from the city’s ethics office, but was later told he also needed the mayor’s approval.

Cochran filed his complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.