Christian doctor fired for opposing trans policy has her day in court
Christian doctor assistant who says she was unfairly fired Her religious objections Her employer’s positive transgender policy has finally brought her day to court more than three years after she lost her job.
Valerie Klosterman worked for 17 years as a physician assistant at MetroHealth Caledonia, a rural outpatient clinic run by the University of Michigan Health West (UMHW). She is allegedly seeking religious accommodation to avoid being forced to use pronouns that her patients like or refer patients for transgender surgical procedures or medications 2021 He was fired in August 2019.
The law firm’s first Liberty and Clement & Murphy, PLLC filed a lawsuit against UMHW, violating Klosterman’s first and 14th amendment rights, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and equal protection rights I accused him of doing so. When she was fired from work for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Michigan lawyers James Wieranga and David J. Williams also filed a lawsuit on behalf of Klosterman.
After years of legal delays in Klosterman’s case, her attorney was able to hold oral discussions at the US Court of Appeals in the Sixth Circuit on February 6th.
Christian physician assistant sues Michigan health after dissenting trans procedures
The University of Michigan Health West System fired physician assistant Valerie Klosterman after it allegedly sought religious accommodation for a new transgender affirmation policy. (istock via Getty/Fast Liberty)
Klosterman said Fox News Digital Shortly before her termination from UMHW, she had to complete a diversity training module, which required her to confirm statements on sexual orientation and gender identity that were contrary to her Christian faith.
“Two of these questions specifically stated that gender is fluid. “No, what God designed us, just as we were made in God’s image. I don’t think it’s anything. It’s assigned at birth.’ But I couldn’t put, “No” I couldn’t complete the required investigation. They had already said that if you didn’t fill it out you would be finished,â she said.
Klosterman said during 17 years of practice she treated LGBT patients the same way as other patients, without conflict. She said she had never encountered a situation where she was forced to use a pronoun of her choice.
Several meetings continued when she sought religious exemptions through HR in hypothetical circumstances. At her final meeting before her fire, Klosterman claims she was blamed by UMHW Diversity, Equality, Inclusion (DEI) Program coordinator on her religious beliefs.
“The meeting has become hostile. This individual has seen patients in the LGBT community and called me a liar to state that they hadn’t had any issues or weren’t worried. Changing gender. Surgery,â she said.
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According to First Liberty, DEI officials with the Michigan health care system said religious opposition to referring patients to Christian physician assistants by their preferred pronouns would cause these patients to commit suicide. (AP Photo/John Hannah)
This same Day official also laughed at her faith and told her that she would cause trans patients to commit suicide by not affirming their pronouns, the lawsuit states.
Klosterman said leadership told her the conversation continued at another time. But a month later, she was suddenly called to the office and fired on the spot, the lawsuit states.
“I was not given the opportunity to close the charts. I was not given the opportunity to talk to patients. I was not even allowed to go back to the office to get my belongings,” she said in Fox News Digital. He spoke to.
Klosterman said she left because she was surprised that her employer fired her for religious opposition to the hypothetical situation.
She was also heartbroken by the patients she had a long-term relationship left in the dark about why she was suddenly not their provider.
Valerie Kloosterman said she was suddenly fired from her job without prior notice after sought religious accommodation for her employer’s transgender affirmation policy. (istock)
“I thought, ‘I have a diagnosis I need to tell them.’ You didn’t know how to help them… you’re passing through your mind.
The trial tested her faith, but it also opened conversations with her sons about the meaning of trusting God’s provisions when times are difficult, Klosterman said.
“This isn’t my battle or my journey, right?” she said of these conversations with her family. “This is about God, praise him, faithful, honest, I know that you need to do it all at every stage. If it’s emotional, then it’s difficult. If that means losing my job, then I have to do it: be a Christian.
The lawsuit states that Klosterman was a “model” employee who had never been disciplined until her shooting. She said she had a “stellar” reputation for her patients and “pleasantly served” patients of various beliefs and backgrounds, including those who experienced lesbian, gay, or gender discomfort. Court documents.
The first Liberty was sued after Klosterman filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and was told that the health care system was denied, allegedly denied a request for Klosterman’s resurrection.
Valerie Kloosterman said she was “grief” who couldn’t explain to patients whether she could no longer become their provider. (istock)
They are seeking financial damages, fair relief, and asking Klosterman to return to UMHW at accommodation due to issues surrounding transgender pronouns and surgical referrals.
UMHW did not respond to requests for comment.
In a previous statement on the litigation, UMHW told Fox News Digital: She applied to the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, but there is no merit. â
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The Healthcare System boasts DEI value on its website and states it is recognized nationwide for its commitment to LGBTQ patients.
“UM Health-West is the highest scoring system in the Grand Rapids area and has been designated as a top performer for LGBTQ+ healthcare equality.” According to the website.
During his first days in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to limit the treatment of “chemical and surgical” changes in minors.
Several children’s hospitals and clinics across the country are ignoring orders; I vowed to continue Provide transgender treatment to patients.
Jon Brown of Fox News contributed to this article.