In Kloosterman v. Metropolitan Hospital, (WD MI, Sept. 20, 2023), a Michigan federal district court refused to dismiss a physician assistant's free exercise, equal protection and Title VII religious discrimination and failure to accommodate claims against a hospital that dismissed her for her unwillingness, on religious grounds, to refer gender transitioning patients for various drugs and procedures, or to use pronouns that do not correspond to a patient’s biological sex. Plaintiff asserted that as a Christian she believes that one’s sex is ordained by God and that one should not attempt to erase or to alter his or her sex.
The court concluded in part that:
Plaintiff plausibly alleges that Defendants’ hostility toward her religious beliefs motivated them to terminate her employment.
The court however dismissed certain other claims by plaintiff, including her free speech claim.
First Liberty Institute issued a press release announcing the decision.
