Transgender fired for misconduct not sex change

A Catholic college in Manchester, N.H., says it fired a senior computer programmer for engaging in serious workplace misconduct, not because the man was planning to undergo sex-reassigment surgery and return to work as a woman. Robert Blanchette, 53, sued St. Anselm College in federal court in May claiming he was fired after telling the college he was transgender.

The college's lawyer would not offer details on the misconduct allegation but argued that Blanchette failed to exhaust internal remedies before going to court. The college also said the suit was prohibited by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the constitution, which requires the separation of church and state. The lawyers also said the college could fire him since he was an employee at will who could be terminated at any time. Blanchette said he was qualified for his position and that the college discharged him after he met with officials to tell them of his plans for surgery. (AP)