Rachel Tudor has been awarded more than $1 million in a federal discrimination suit.
The former professor won a law suit which stated that Oklahoma State University violated her civil rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
During the case, Tudor – who is a transgender woman – claimed that she was denied tenure due to her gender identity.
She also added that she was refused the chance to reapply due to her previous complaints of discrimination against the university.
Moreover, Tudor said that she was limited to use just one of the bathrooms on campus, as well as having her appearance policed.
A jury agreed in favour of Tudor’s claim of discrimination and the former professor was awarded $1,165,000.
The complaint was first filed back 2010, and Obama’s Justice Department announced it would interpret Title VII as covering gender identity back in 2014.
Trump’s administration settled with the university last month and withdrew from the case.
© Gage Skidmore via Flickr
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has since issued a memo stating that the Justice Department will now no longer interpret Title VII as cover gender identity.
“We can win even when the government is not recognising our rights — we can take on the US government, and take on state governments, and we can win,” saidTransgender Legal Defense Fund executive director Jillian T. Weiss, who represented Tudor at one point during the case.
“Transgender people are protected from discrimination and employers should take notice, whether the government is on your side or not.”
Masen Davis, CEO of Freedom for All Americans, added: “Today’s news is a tremendous victory for Rachel and the many transgender people across America who face discrimination at work.
“Across the country, courts are increasingly reaching the conclusion that sex and gender stereotyping is a form of sex discrimination and therefore illegal under Title VII.
“Employees should be judged solely on their work ethnic and performance — no one should fear being treated differently in the workplace because of who they are.
“We applaud Rachel’s bravery for coming forward and we hope others who face discrimination are similarly brought to justice.”
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