ST. CLOUD (AP) — Settlement talks are set next month in a federal lawsuit filed by a former St. Cloud police officer who alleges the police department discriminated against him because he's gay.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Donald Frank denied a request by the city for summary judgment on several claims in the lawsuit filed by Sean Lathrop.

Frank did grant the city's request for summary judgments on a couple of Lathrop's other claims.

Latrhop's attorney calls it a "well-reasoned decision." An attorney representing the city and police department members says she's confident the facts would support the city if the case goes to trial.

A March 19 trial date is set if a settlement cannot be reached.

The city has denied that Lathrop was discriminated against.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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