The federal government’s main healthcare agency, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is threatening to fire employees who do not use their co-workers’ preferred pronouns, according to a report by The Daily Caller.
The rule change was first spotted by Roger Severino, the former director of HHS Office for Civil Rights.
Severino obtained emails about the HHS’ “Gender Identity Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Policy for Employees and Applicants,” which is intended to “provide workplace procedures safeguarding gender expression.”
In the news: Trump Rips House GOP’s Speaker Nominee Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer
As the Caller noted, HHS employees must now use their co-workers’ preferred pronouns or risk creating an “unlawful hostile work environment.”
“HHS today imposed a transgender pronoun mandate on its employees who will now be forced to deny biological realities with their own words or face firing,” Severino posted on X (formerly Twitter) recently.
The policy itself states: “All employees should be addressed by the names and pronouns they use to describe themselves. This practice also creates an inclusive work environment where all applicants and employees are treated with dignity.”
“The isolated and inadvertent use of an incorrect name or pronoun will generally not constitute unlawful harassment,” it continued. “However, as [the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] explained, intentional and repeated use of an incorrect name or pronoun (or both) could, in certain circumstances, contribute to an unlawful hostile work environment.”
“Those with faith objections should immediately request religious accommodation and prepare to fight for your rights,” Severino posted.
In the news: 70% Of Criminals Kentucky Governor Released Early Went On To Commit More Crimes
The policy, he added, “makes no mention of 1st Amendment rights against compelled speech or of free religious exercise, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or religious accommodation.”
The Caller also noted that HHS is also implementing new restroom rules. HHS staff may now use whichever restroom best fits their identity.
Any employee who is “uncomfortable” being in the same bathroom with transgender or nonbinary people must use an “alternative” restroom.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps