Ellenor Zinski’s journey to self-acceptance took a devastating turn when Liberty University, a staunchly conservative Christian institution, dismissed her shortly after she came out as transgender. Zinski, who worked as an IT help desk specialist, had informed the university’s Human Resources department of her intention to legally change her name and begin hormone therapy. She had hoped that the Christian values the university espoused—particularly love and acceptance—would extend to her situation. Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed when the university terminated her employment, citing her gender identity as the reason.
The termination notice, which forms the basis of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on Zinski’s behalf, explicitly referred to “denying biological and chromosomal sex assigned at birth” as a violation of the university’s doctrinal stance. Liberty University’s policies, which view any denial of “birth sex” as a “sinful act,” became the grounds for Zinski’s dismissal, despite her assurances that her transition would not impact her job performance.
The emotional toll of this rejection was profound for Zinski. “It’s really hard to be rejected for something that you can’t change about yourself,” she reflected. Her faith, which remains an integral part of her life, has not wavered. Zinski, who regularly attends a welcoming church in her community, expressed that there is no conflict between her Christian faith and her gender identity. “Being Christian is a choice I made with my heart, but being transgender is who I am,” she said, underlining the intrinsic nature of her identity.
The lawsuit, which seeks $300,000 in compensatory damages, also aims to challenge Liberty University’s policy under Title VII, arguing that it constitutes unlawful discrimination. As this legal battle unfolds, it raises critical questions about the intersection of faith and identity, and the extent to which religious institutions can impose their beliefs on employees whose lived realities diverge from doctrinal teachings.
