Professor Denied Job For Being Gay, Now Suing His Former Employer
Image: Professor J茅aux Rinedahl. Photo supplied.
A professor has filled a lawsuit against Seattle Pacific University in Washington after he was allegedly denied a fulltime position based on his sexuality.
After 40 years as a registered nurse, J茅aux Rinedahl returned to study in the hopes of achieving his dream of becoming a graduate nursing professor.
Last April, he was close to achieving that dream when he commenced a part-time role at SPU.
鈥淚 knew the Assistant Dean. She was so excited when I applied for that role, well obviously, she hired me. She knew I was gay, she even asked for a photo from my wedding.鈥�
But听Rinedahl’s dream was short-lived. After receiving accolades from students and executives, Professor Rinedahl applied for a permanent vacancy in early May.
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Six weeks later, the Assistant Dean called Rinedahl to discuss his application.
鈥淚 was so close to my dream. Graduate teaching was, after all, what I really wanted to do.鈥�
Professor Rinedahl was told he wouldn鈥檛 be accepted into the position.
鈥淚 remember exactly how she said it: 鈥業t鈥檚 because you鈥檙e not heterosexual.鈥�
鈥淚 just froze up. I felt sick to my stomach. To be honest, I started bawling.
鈥淚鈥檓 not na茂ve in regard to having issues in life about being gay and gay prejudices. But I never expected that [from SPU]. Even though they鈥檙e a Christian university鈥� I was already working there as a gay man. They even offered to keep me on part-time.鈥�
听Daniel Kalish, Rinedahl鈥檚 attorney, said employment discrimination based on a person鈥檚 sexual orientation is illegal, but SPU may be covered by a loophole called the ministerial exception.
鈥淭his basically means religious institutions can discriminate when appointing ministers. So, the case comes down to who can be defined as a minister and we don鈥檛 believe this exception applies in Professor Rinedahl鈥檚 case.鈥�
A representative from SPU said, 鈥淲e are currently reviewing the lawsuit and don鈥檛 have any comment at this time.鈥�
Since his rejection, Rinedahl has been forced to take up work elsewhere.
鈥淔ulltime faculty positions are very hard to find. I haven鈥檛 been able to find a job in education but I鈥檓 still in nursing.
鈥淏efore receiving that phone call, everything was on track. I had set my life up to move into full-time [work] and leave my other work. It was a crushing blow, not just professionally and personally. It brought my sexuality into it.鈥�
Professor Rinedahl and his attorneys are awaiting a response from SPU before litigation can commence.
For more information on the case, visit
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