Transgender Minister Professor Fights Firing by Michigan Christian University

[Dos Equis]

Pretty bold move by this man-woman. 

Transgender Minister Professor Fights Firing by Michigan Christian University
Monday, February 05, 2007

JACKSON, Mich. —  A private, Christian university is firing a transgender professor who began appearing as a woman on campus in 2005.

John Nemecek, 55, who goes by Julie Marie Nemecek and often wears a wig and dress, is fighting the dismissal by Spring Arbor University, which takes effect June 1.

The ordained Baptist minister has filed a discrimination claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

"I have worked hard for this university, have been praised for my performance, and I have done nothing immoral or sinful," Nemecek told the Jackson Citizen Patriot for a Sunday story.

Officials at Spring Arbor, which is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, declined to comment to the newspaper. They said in a statement released by a public relations firm: "We expect our faculty to model Christian character as an example for our students."

Faculty who "persist with activities that are inconsistent with the Christian faith" may be fired, the statement said. In their response to Nemecek's EEOC complaint, college officials said the Christian mandate is critical to Spring Arbor and is protected by civil rights laws.
 
Nemecek, who has worked for the university for 16 years, was told in December that he had violated an updated contract that included a ban on his appearing as a woman on campus or in the town of Spring Arbor, a city of 2,200 located 95 miles west of Detroit.

Nemecek began his transformation in 2005 with estrogen therapy. Soon after, the college prevented him from teaching in classrooms, interviewing prospective employees or attending graduation ceremonies.

Nemecek has worked out of his home for more than a year, directing online classes.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250289,00.html

[sandycoosworth]

mithter garrithon!

[BayGBM]

As in many places discrimination in higher ed is hard to prove and harder to police.  If he has tenure, he cannot be fired.  If he doesn’t have tenure, he’s out of there. 

[Mr. Intenseone]

He states he has done nothing immoral or sinful, it's a Christian school, a man dressing as a woman is borderline suggestive, but if he is a gay man dressing as a woman it is a definate sin and depending on how he acts while dressed as a woman while on or off campus might be immoral as well!

[Dos Equis]

Although tenured professors are akin to federal judges with lifetime appointments, this one seems pretty simple.  I'm pretty sure Title VII has an exemption for religious organizations.  We have an exemption in our state anti-discrimination law for religious organizations.  Makes perfect sense.  You cannot force a church, church school, etc. to hire someone with a lifestyle that is contrary to that organization's teachings.  Seems like this should be a pretty simple case.     

[sandycoosworth]

He states he has done nothing immoral or sinful, it's a Christian school, a man dressing as a woman is borderline suggestive, but if he is a gay man dressing as a woman it is a definate sin and depending on how he acts while dressed as a woman while on or off campus might be immoral as well!

let he who is without sin cast the first stone, you are a very bad christian!

[BayGBM]

>We expect our faculty to model Christian character as an example for our students."

> Faculty who "persist with activities that are inconsistent with the Christian faith" may be fired, the statement said.


I’m sure we can find many examples of unchristian character among all faculty at that school.  So who decides when such behavior crosses the  line?  Is premarital sex cause for dismissal or expulsion?  Intoxication?  Gambling?  This is a very slippery slope.

[240 is Back]

if he is a gay man dressing as a woman it is a definate sin

Is 'a straight man dressed as a woman' a definite sin?

[Dos Equis]

I’m sure we can find many examples of unchristian character among all faculty at that school.  So who decides when such behavior crosses the  line?  Is premarital sex cause for dismissal or expulsion?  Intoxication?  Gambling?  This is a very slippery slope.

The school and their code of conduct decides. 

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Not slippery at all.  You either abide by the code of conduct, or you find somewhere else to work. 

[Mr. Intenseone]

Is 'a straight man dressed as a woman' a definite sin?

No, but then there is the moral issue!

[Mr. Intenseone]

let he who is without sin cast the first stone, you are a very bad christian!

I know what you are saying (I'm assuming Lori and I) and we know!

[Dos Equis]

Here is an example of a code of conduct for BYU students, which I'm sure applies to the professors as well:

Conduct 
All students shall be required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the BYU Honor Code. Furthermore, all students are required to abstain from possessing, serving, or consuming alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, or harmful drugs. Involvement with gambling; pornographic, erotic, or indecent material; disorderly, obscene, or indecent conduct or expressions; or with other offensive materials, expressions, or conduct or disruption of the peace that, in the sole discretion and judgment of the university, is inconsistent with the principles of the Church and the BYU Honor Code is not permitted. All students are required to know the dress and grooming standards and abide by them. (The standards expressed above apply to students at all times whether on or off campus.)
 
http://honorcode.byu.edu/Conduct.htm

[240 is Back]

No, but then there is the moral issue!

so something can be morally wrong, but not a sin?