The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit will soon hear oral arguments in a potentially landmark case, Zinski v. Liberty University, that features a clash between Liberty University’s religious doctrine and allegations of anti-transgender discrimination from a former employee.
Lawyers for the university say the case is likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court.
It began when Jonathan Zinski, a biological man, got a job at Liberty University, a predominantly Christian University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in February 2023. After the 90-day probationary period for new employees, Zinski told the university of a plan to legally change his name from Jonathan Zinski to Ellenor Zinski and transition to identifying as a woman. The university fired Zinski for going against the doctrinal statement Zinski signed upon taking the job. That statement included a pledge to reject a litany of practices that contradict Christian teachings, including “denial of birth sex by self-identification with a different gender.”
Zinski is now suing the school in a case pitting freedom of religion against transgender ideology in the workplace.
“Just smacks against reality and common sense and fairness and justice and the very core of our religious freedom,” Liberty Counsel’s Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said. “This case is so critically important, and I’m looking forward to the oral argument and eventually, a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Staver is preparing for oral arguments on March 17, telling Washington Examiner in an exclusive interview that new details have emerged that, in his view, prove Zinski “set up” the university.
“Jonathan Zinski clearly set up Liberty University because he was taking the female hormones, he falsely affirmed the doctrinal statement, and then when he was terminated, he got the help of the ACLU,” Staver said.
Staver noted that shortly before Zinski applied, Liberty University hosted a speaker at its convocation who talked about how God created us in His image: male and female. The female pastor at Zinski’s church attended Liberty University’s convocation and was upset by the speaker’s message.
“Then guess what happens? Lo and behold, Jonathan Zinski pops up, and he applies to Liberty University,” Staver said. “I think there’s clearly issues here with Zinski setting up Liberty and wanting to take down one of the largest Christian universities in the country.”
Nineteen states plus the District of Columbia filed amicus briefs against Liberty Counsel.
“They’re worried that if we win, they won’t be able to impose their radicalized LGBTQ agenda on Christian employers and universities like Liberty University,” Staver said. “This is a critically important case, not just for Liberty University, but for all Christian employers, because if Liberty loses, it means a single individual with a radicalized LGBTQ agenda can literally rewrite your doctrinal position and your core Christian values.”
TRANSGENDER FORMER EMPLOYEE IS SUING LIBERTY UNIVERSITY OVER FIRING
Staver believes the case could set a precedent for other Christian employers and universities, protecting their religious freedom.
“I think this case involving Liberty University can set a huge precedent across the country, and certainly, I think the case really has the Supreme Court written all over it,” Staver said. “We’re looking forward to that and having a precedent that protects other employers.”