A computer programmer in New Hampshire has filed a lawsuit against St. Anselm College in Manchester. The programmer was hired as Robert Blanchette and had worked for the college for 7 years, receiving many commendations for his work. In March, Robert told college administrators that he would be taking a vacaton, and coming back as Sarah Blanchette. Robert, now Sarah, had a psychological condition known as "Gender Identity Disorder." Hit the flip to see the open-minded response he got from the administration.
"As you know, you recently disclosed to senior college administration your transsexual status. Upon consideration, you are immediately relieved of your duties," Shuster wrote.
Blanchette was placed on paid leave for the rest of his contract, and given a choice whether to resign or be fired at the end, she wrote. Shuster asked that he notify the college in advance if he planned to return there for any reason.
So the next logical recourse was:
Now Sarah Blanchette has sued, charging the college with gender discrimination. The case was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, and the college has yet to respond.
I remember there was a male-to-female transgendered professor working at my alma mater (also in NH), who was a very big part of our GLBTQQ activist groups, and was a very respected professor of English. Being a transsexual does not, in any way, make you unfit for a job, so it should be interesting to see how this lawsuit progresses. Since "gender identity disorder" is a recognized psychological condition, I think Sarah Blanchette has a pretty decent discrimination case.
I should probably mention that St. A's, if it's not obvious from the name, is a Catholic school, although Blanchette has made it clear that the position in question does not involve any student or faculty contact.. although I don't think that should even be a consideration, it should at least bolster the case even further.
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