Trans cop says he was deemed a ‘danger to the public’ over gender identity

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Schanley’s shift supervisors “refused to use his preferred name Eli and his preferred pronoun he/him,” addressing him as “Elise,” his former name, while using she/her pronouns “daily,” according to the complaint. The department sent Schanley to meet with a clinical social worker who “holds herself out as a ‘Christian Counselor,’” and “is a member of the ‘Network of Christian Counselors Association,’” the complaint states. It says the office was decorated with “religious themed posters,” and the counselor served Schanley a cup of coffee “in a mug containing religious affirmations.” open image in gallery Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche is named as a defendant in Eli Schanley's lawsuit Schanley was given a pair of written personality tests, consisting of roughly 600 questions in total, and sat for an interview, according to the complaint. It says Schanley was given four options: resign; take medical leave until he was able to find a new job; take two weeks of administrative leave, after which he would be terminated; or apply for one of two city jobs that were vacant at the time – accounting specialist, an area in which Schanley had no qualifications, or a “janitorial role.” “I just want to clarify: I am being let go solely based on the report regardless of my work reviews?” Schanley asked his captain, the complaint states.