Olivia Hill – Photo: Vanderbilt University, via YouTube.
A transgender Vanderbilt University employee is suing the university, claiming she was bullied, harassed and viciously mocked by her co-workers after she began transitioning at work.
Olivia Hill, a U.S. Naval veteran who worked for the university’s cogeneration plant for 25 years, claims in a lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on Wednesday, that the mistreatment she suffered on the job began in mid-2018, after she informed her employer she’d been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and would be transitioning at work.
Soon after, she learned that a direct supervisor was referring to her as “it,” a “trans freak,” and a “weirdo.” The negative reaction made Hill — the only woman employee at the plant — second-guess pursuing gender confirmation surgery, prompting her to delay the surgery until February 2019. She returned to work in May 2019, after the surgery, but the mistreatment continued. She says some people would leave rooms as she entered, while others made crude or sexually suggestive remarks.
For instance, Hill claims in her lawsuit that an assistant vice chancellor, who oversaw plant operations, commented to her about her “big feet” and asked if she shaves her chest, adding: “Ugh, the thought of you shaving your tits is gross.”
Another employee, asked her, in front of about 20 other employees in the breakroom, if she was a virgin and if he could “be the first to use her new vagina.” When she complained to her direct supervisor, he said “gross” and took no action to discipline the offending employee.
Other employees refused to acknowledge Hill’s gender identity, referring to her with male pronouns, with one in particular refusing to take direct orders from her, saying “that freak is not my boss and I will not listen to it.”
Hill says plant supervisors also refused to provide a women’s bathroom for Hill (or any woman visiting the plant) to use.
Though Hill says she complained to her superiors, they did nothing to remedy the situation, and even participated in the harassment, mocking her in front of subordinates. One time, after complaining about harassment she had experienced, the assistant vice chancellor reprimanded her, telling her she needed to “leave her emotions at home and just do her job.”
She filed complaints about the harassment she was receiving with the university and with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging discrimination. But instead of addressing her complaints, the school placed her on paid administrative leave, and passed her over for promotions.
In her lawsuit, Hill claims she was discriminated against on the basis of her sex, in violation of both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the latter of which deals with sex-based discrimination in educational institutions.
She also claims the university unlawfully retaliated against her, in violation of both federal statutes, discriminated and retaliated against her based on disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and unlawfully discriminated against her under the Tennessee Human Rights cat. She is seeking damages for pain and suffering, as well as repayment for lost wages.
Interestingly, Vanderbilt actually touted Hill’s transition by posting a video touting the university’s transgender clinic, in which Hill talks about being transgender and her transition process — ostensibly to show how welcoming and accepting the university is. But Abby Rubenfeld, Hill’s attorney, told TMZin an interview that the way her client was treated highlights the “stunning hypocrisy of Vanderbilt” when it comes to touting their allegedly pro-LGBTQ policies.
“They talk the talk, but Olivia is the first employee to actually transition while working there, and they didn’t walk the walk,” Rubenfeld said.
In response to an inquiry from Nashville FOX affiliate WZTV, the university released a statement defending its record on LGBTQ inclusion but declining to comment on the specifics of Hill’s lawsuit, citing its policy of not commenting on pending litigation to protect the privacy of the respective parties.
“We have taken intentional steps to help our employees feel respected, included and safe in their work environments, including providing resources for employees who identify as transgender, genderqueer or non-binary, as well as the managers who support them. Among the resources available is information on topics such as confidentiality and privacy, names and pronoun use, and support for employees who are transitioning,” the statement read. “We take complaints to the university seriously as we continue to move forward in our commitment to foster an inclusive community.”
Several hundred transgender people and allies rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court building on Wednesday, December 4, while the high court's nine justices heard oral arguments on whether to overturn a Tennessee law banning transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming health care treatments.
U.S. v. Skrmetti reaches the court at a time when fear and uncertainty are widespread among members of the transgender community due to Donald Trump's victory in the presidential race, Republicans winning control of both chambers of Congress, and a spate of laws restricting access to gender-affirming care that have been approved by Republican-led legislatures over the past three years.
A gay teacher in Oregon was awarded $90,000 as part of a lawsuit alleging she was subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliated against for her support of LGBTQ students.
Eileen Brennock, a Spanish teacher at Mountain View Middle School, in Newberg, Oregon, claimed that the school's former principal, Terry McElligot, told staff at a meeting on September 10, 2021, that "it's not okay to tell kids it's okay to be gay or trans."
McElligot also reportedly told teachers not to display any Pride or "Black Lives Matter" flags or insignia to avoid "pok the bear."
A gay police officer in California is suing the department, alleging that he was subjected to years of discrimination and harassment from superiors and fellow officers and was diagnosed with PTSD as a result.
In a lawsuit filed in California Superior Court, Sgt. Tyler Peppard, who joined the Oceanside Police Department as a recruit in August 2016, claims he was mistreated and even given negative performance reviews by his superiors because they objected to his alleged "lifestyle."
Peppard, a second-generation officer, was at first praised and recognized by his superiors as a high performer, but things changed when his partner "outed" him to other officers. At that point, Peppard says he noticed a shift in the attitudes of his co-workers and superiors.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
A transgender Vanderbilt University employee is suing the university, claiming she was bullied, harassed and viciously mocked by her co-workers after she began transitioning at work.
Olivia Hill, a U.S. Naval veteran who worked for the university’s cogeneration plant for 25 years, claims in a lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on Wednesday, that the mistreatment she suffered on the job began in mid-2018, after she informed her employer she’d been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and would be transitioning at work.
Soon after, she learned that a direct supervisor was referring to her as “it,” a “trans freak,” and a “weirdo.” The negative reaction made Hill — the only woman employee at the plant — second-guess pursuing gender confirmation surgery, prompting her to delay the surgery until February 2019. She returned to work in May 2019, after the surgery, but the mistreatment continued. She says some people would leave rooms as she entered, while others made crude or sexually suggestive remarks.
For instance, Hill claims in her lawsuit that an assistant vice chancellor, who oversaw plant operations, commented to her about her “big feet” and asked if she shaves her chest, adding: “Ugh, the thought of you shaving your tits is gross.”
Another employee, asked her, in front of about 20 other employees in the breakroom, if she was a virgin and if he could “be the first to use her new vagina.” When she complained to her direct supervisor, he said “gross” and took no action to discipline the offending employee.
Other employees refused to acknowledge Hill’s gender identity, referring to her with male pronouns, with one in particular refusing to take direct orders from her, saying “that freak is not my boss and I will not listen to it.”
Hill says plant supervisors also refused to provide a women’s bathroom for Hill (or any woman visiting the plant) to use.
Though Hill says she complained to her superiors, they did nothing to remedy the situation, and even participated in the harassment, mocking her in front of subordinates. One time, after complaining about harassment she had experienced, the assistant vice chancellor reprimanded her, telling her she needed to “leave her emotions at home and just do her job.”
She filed complaints about the harassment she was receiving with the university and with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging discrimination. But instead of addressing her complaints, the school placed her on paid administrative leave, and passed her over for promotions.
See also: Hundreds of Texas students walk out of school over alleged anti-LGBTQ discrimination
In her lawsuit, Hill claims she was discriminated against on the basis of her sex, in violation of both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the latter of which deals with sex-based discrimination in educational institutions.
She also claims the university unlawfully retaliated against her, in violation of both federal statutes, discriminated and retaliated against her based on disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and unlawfully discriminated against her under the Tennessee Human Rights cat. She is seeking damages for pain and suffering, as well as repayment for lost wages.
Interestingly, Vanderbilt actually touted Hill’s transition by posting a video touting the university’s transgender clinic, in which Hill talks about being transgender and her transition process — ostensibly to show how welcoming and accepting the university is. But Abby Rubenfeld, Hill’s attorney, told TMZ in an interview that the way her client was treated highlights the “stunning hypocrisy of Vanderbilt” when it comes to touting their allegedly pro-LGBTQ policies.
“They talk the talk, but Olivia is the first employee to actually transition while working there, and they didn’t walk the walk,” Rubenfeld said.
In response to an inquiry from Nashville FOX affiliate WZTV, the university released a statement defending its record on LGBTQ inclusion but declining to comment on the specifics of Hill’s lawsuit, citing its policy of not commenting on pending litigation to protect the privacy of the respective parties.
“We have taken intentional steps to help our employees feel respected, included and safe in their work environments, including providing resources for employees who identify as transgender, genderqueer or non-binary, as well as the managers who support them. Among the resources available is information on topics such as confidentiality and privacy, names and pronoun use, and support for employees who are transitioning,” the statement read. “We take complaints to the university seriously as we continue to move forward in our commitment to foster an inclusive community.”
See also:
Fired cheer coach files lawsuit against California school district for anti-gay discrimination
Casa Ruby loses over $800,000 in LGBTQ youth shelter funding after DHS refuses to renew its contract
Lesbian TikTokers are calling out straight women for “taking over” queer spaces
READ NEXT