Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 07:06:14 -0800 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF - Trans-Doctor Fired MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org TRANSGENDER DOCTOR FIRED FOR TRANSITIONING ON JOB ================================================= [New York, NY: 14 Dec 98] THE NEW JERSEY TIMES REPORTS that Dr. Carla Enriquez, a pediatrician, has filed a suit against West Jersey Health System (WJHS) alleging that they failed to renew her contract last year because she was transitioning from male to female. Enriquez, a trustee of The College of New Jersey since 1984, was 'terminated' on 22 Oct 97. Said her attorney, Lee Fiederer, "We brought the case under the New Jersey law against discrimination which protects individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation or affectation." The suit alleges that officials at WJHS were openly critical of Enriquez throughout her transition, and that WJHS denied her employment based on their disapproval, rather than any measure of ability. She began transitioning in Sep 96. She legally changed her name from Carlos to Carla and made the change in her physical appearance from male to female over that winter and the spring of the next year. The complaint alleges that in 1997 Dr. John Cossa, Vice President of WJHS, told her to "stop all this and go back to your previous appearance." After Enriquez refused to comply with these demands, WJHS took action to deny her employment. "We have a brilliant doctor, recognized nationally in her field, who was terminated solely based on her sexual affectation and orientation," said Fiederer. Riki Anne Wilchins, GenderPAC Executive Director, commented on this case on Court TV. She said, "That such blatant discrimination can happen to a fine doctor emphasizes the urgent need for employment protection at the local and state level and especially within the context of ENDA. The experience of this woman is echoed in the scores of responses we are receiving from people across the country to our National Survey on Gender and Sexual Orientation in the Workplace." ### Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@gpac.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1998 InYourFace GenderPAC's news-only service for gender activism.