Gender Justice files lawsuit challenging discrimination against trans librarian by Catholic school

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2024

CONTACT
Noah Parrish, Communications Director
[email protected]
651.432.0171

Minneapolis, Minn.—

Today Gender Justice and co-counsel, Wanta Thome PLC, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Academy of Holy Angels (Holy Angels), a Catholic high school in Richfield, Minn., and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis after they effectively terminated Reyzl Grace MoChridhe (Grace), a staff librarian, when she came out as trans.

The lawsuit alleges that Holy Angels violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) in 2022 by refusing to allow Grace, who served as a secular librarian at the school, to renew her employment contract because of her trans status and sex. While the MHRA does permit limited exemptions on religious grounds, the Legislature never intended for these exemptions to apply to secular employees.

“Reyzl Grace’s story highlights the importance of ensuring that no employer in Minnesota has carte blanche to discriminate against employees simply because of who they are,” said Brittany Stewart, senior staff attorney at Gender Justice. “We believe in a Minnesota where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, free from discrimination. This case is a crucial step toward that goal.”

Reyzl Grace, who is Jewish, worked as the sole librarian at Holy Angels during the 2021-2022 school year. Her role required no ministerial duties, religious training, or education. Grace was widely respected by students and her colleagues for her dedication to fostering a love of reading and learning among students.

“Serving as Holy Angels’ librarian was the best job I ever had,” said plaintiff Reyzl Grace. “The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet founded the school on ‘love of neighbor without distinction’—a principle reflected in the near unanimous support I received from colleagues and students when I came out. The administration’s decision to remove me against the objections of the school community was heartbreaking. I bring this suit because I still love Holy Angels and want to see its promise honored toward all its staff and students.”

In March 2022, Grace informed Holy Angels of her intention to renew her employment contract for another year. The principal initially expressed a desire for her to continue in her role. However, upon learning that Grace had come out as trans and would be transitioning, the principal told her she would not be able to work at the school.

The lawsuit contends that Holy Angels and Archdiocese violated the MHRA by unlawfully discriminating against Grace by not allowing her to renew her contract in a position she had successfully occupied, as well as by refusing to hire her when she reapplied.

“According to the Second Vatican Council, the mission of the Roman Catholic Church is to proclaim and help establish the Reign of God. Discriminating against LGBTQ people like Reyzl Grace is a countersign to that mission and is in itself a cause for scandal. It is the opposite of the love of Christ that the Church is called to proclaim,” said Brian H. McNeill, president of Dignity Twin Cities.

“As trans Catholics, we know the pain of dehumanization at the hands of the Roman Catholic church,” said finn schneider with Dignity Twin Cities. “So, too, do we know the profundity of God’s love and the transformative power of God’s justice. Our faith impels us to speak out courageously against discrimination, wherever and however it manifests.”

View the complaint here.
View media kit here.

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