A discrimination lawsuit has been filed by a transgender woman against a nursing college in Louisville, saying she was humiliated when she was allegedly excluded from using the women’s restroom though she identifies as a female, a TV station reported Sunday.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in Jefferson Circuit Court on behalf of Vanessa Gilliam and that it accuses Galen College of Nursing of discriminating against Gilliam for being transgender, reported WHAS-TV.
Gilliam, a U.S. Army veteran and a single parent, told the station in an interview that she began physically transitioning from a male to a female after she started classes at Galen, according to the report. Gilliam said she was studying for a lab test when two Galen employees approached her and asked to speak in private.
“They said the reason that they brought me in there was because that I’m a man dressed like a woman,” Gilliam added. “They talked to me about using the women’s restroom and how they have to look out for everybody else and their safety.”
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Gilliam said she was humiliated, so much so that she began to question her own identity.
“I went from feeling really confident to like, ‘Oh my God, I’m a guy in heels,’” said Gilliam, who no longer attends Galen. “I mean I’ve come a long way. From the military, to getting custody of my kids, to being a single parent. I’m not going to let somebody tear me down and I’m not going to let this tear me down.”
Gilliam is seeking reimbursement for her tuition and books, as well as damages for emotional trauma.
Galen said in a statement that it couldn’t comment because it hasn’t seen the lawsuit, but added that the college “strives to create and maintain a respectful and safe campus climate for students, faculty, and staff.”
H/t: LGBTQNation
Bisexual-Transwoman
@Arnold Stollar: NO she’s not, she’s a woman/Transwoman.
Bisexual-Transwoman
@Arnold Stollar: You’re a bigot, and always shall be so; lol.
Giancarlo85
She should be judged by her merits and her skills.
Not her gender identity.
I hope she wins her lawsuit.
Larry Belusko
What a bunch of idiots schools are, especially a nursing school. This person would probably have so much empathy and understanding because of her life experiences she might very well make a remarkable nurse.! Signed by an RN.
twinkie1cat
The school could be in trouble if they accept federal funding.
twinkie1cat
She needs to sue for a free education at a nursing school of her choice with Galen paying for it. I am talking about a free ride full scholarship including housing and child care. She will probably be a remarkably good nurse. And what “danger” are the women put in if she uses the same restroom? This sounds like an implication that she is a closet rapist.
Jay A. Scaramazzo
Good. You go girl!
BigG
Sue those bigots!
Patrick Roche
I’ve had trans people as patients, even though I knew one I treated with utmost respect. This one person could bring more empathy to the workplace and ward
aliengod
I have no problem at all if a guy wants to be transgender. But I really don’t think it’s appropriate for a man to use the women’s restroom. It just seems like an invasion of privacy if there are women already in there. Maybe if it’s a single person restroom it would be fine. Not sure what type of restroom this story refers to. I just know I’d feel a little awkward if a woman came prancing into the men’s restroom while I was using it.
muscular
It seems there’s a lot we don’t know about this incident. It sounds like the school raised some concerns privately about her transition. However, the way the issue was raised might have been disrespectful and did not value her struggles. Many people are highly uncomfortable with different kinds of people. We don’t know what information she provided to the school about her transition to help her students become comfortable with her. I respect her military service immensely. Part of the reason why people join the armed services and fight is to enjoy the personal freedoms in the United States that few other countries offer. One of these freedoms is the ability to choose one’s gender identity and live it.
Glücklich
Would never have happened in California, ever. She wouldn’t be allowed to attend nursing school until she finished her transition…to a Filipina.
greenmusic23f
@aliengod: She’s not a man. And didn’t decide or want to be transgender.