PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (AP) — A judge dismissed a professor’s lawsuit against a small, public university in Ohio that rebuked him for not addressing a transgender student using the student’s preferred gender terms.
Nicholas Meriwether’s federal lawsuit alleged that Shawnee State University officials violated his rights by compelling him to speak in a way that contradicts his Christian beliefs.
Schools officials contended that such language was part of his job responsibilities, not speech protected by the First Amendment, and that the case should be dismissed. U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott dismissed it last week, agreeing that the manner in which Meriwether addressed the student wasn’t protected under the First Amendment.
A message seeking comment was left Monday for Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented Meriwether.
He had received a written warning for violating the school’s nondiscrimination policy and unsuccessfully challenged his reprimand in a grievance process. Meriwether said he treated the student like “other biologically male students.”
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Recent Comments
Comment by Son Of Thunder
Posted in Former AG Eric Holder’s hourly rate is $2,295, he says, after OHSU tapped him to investigate handling of sexual misconduct Apr 21, 08:24
Comment by Scruffy_USN_Retired
Posted in Nancy Pelosi Celebrates: ‘We Thank God!’ ‘We Thank Jesus!’ ‘Thank you George Floyd for sacrificing your life…’ Apr 21, 08:24
Comment by chazooo
Posted in Man charged after drive-by shooting at National Guard soldiers in Minneapolis Apr 21, 08:21
Comment by mrickyridge
Posted in Kamala Harris’ Failed Leadership Test Apr 21, 08:20
Comment by Son Of Thunder
Posted in Barack Obama: ‘Jury in Minneapolis did the right thing’, but ‘true justice requires’ more work Apr 21, 08:17