– In a novel and distressing expansion of discrimination against transgender Americans, a Michigan university has announced the firing of a 16-year veteran for failing to follow scripture. The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) today condemned Spring Arbor University's termination of Professor Julie Nemecek for failing to "follow biblical principles" and be a “model Christian" by transitioning on the job.
Nemecek, who holds a Ph.D. in Education and is a conservative evangelist, was Associate Dean of Spring Arbor's School of Adult Studies.
“We are unfamiliar with any scriptural authority that addresses changing genders," said Danny Baker, GenderPAC's Workplace Advocate. "However there is plenty of reference to the need to treat every person with respect -- Spring Arbor University has failed that test."
According to a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), University President Gayle Beebe demanded Nemecek not discuss her condition with teachers or students, not wear dresses, and avoid mentioning her longer hair and fingernails after Nemecek disclosed that she was transitioning to female. She was also required to avoid representing herself on campus in a feminine manner, to seek Christian counseling and to provide updates to the university, which is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church.
Shortly thereafter, in April of 2006, the school demanded Nemecek work from home and teach only online courses. Nemecek recently learned that the university was terminating her contract at the end of the current academic year.
Spring Arbor University is one of thousands in the country that does not ban discrimination based on "gender identity and expression" in its employee or student non-discrimination policies. The University has issued a statement defending its action on grounds of religious freedom.
"Gender identity" refers to a person's sense of being male or female, while "gender expression" describes how people manifest feeling masculine or feminine through how they look, act, or dress.
According to GenderPAC's annual GENIUS Index, 77 colleges and universities have adopted such policies. GENIUS (Gender Equality National Index for Universities & Schools) tracks and evaluates school's progress in ensuring equality for students and faculty regardless of their gender identity and expression or sexual orientation.
Eight states have also passed laws protecting workers from discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Michigan is not among them.
The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) works to ensure that classrooms, communities, and workplaces are safe for every person whether or not they fit stereotypes for masculinity or femininity. For more information, visit www.gpac.org.