LOS ANGELES—A lesbian police officer’s lawsuit alleging the Los Angeles Police Department fired her because she complained about mistreatment over her sexual orientation can go to trial, a judge ruled Feb. 20.

California Superior Court Judge Edward A. Ferns made the decision after rejecting a defense motion to dismiss the case. Ferns also set a May 12 trial date even as attorneys for Shelby Feldmeier and the city try to settle the case.

Feldmeier alleged that when she worked as a probationary officer at the Wilshire Station, male officers made frequent, offensive comments about homosexuality and asked if she was gay, according to her lawsuit.

She claimed that her complaints about the harassment and discrimination to her supervisors and then-Deputy Chief Michael Berkow were not taken seriously. Berkow promised to investigate, but did not follow up, she said.

Feldmeier filed her lawsuit in January 2006, seeking damages from the city for alleged wrongful termination and retaliation.