Houghton University Fires Two Staffers After They Included Pronouns in Work Emails, Report Says

Two employees at Houghton University, a Wesleyan Church-affiliated institution in upstate New York, were dismissed after including their pronouns in work emails, according to a report by The New York Times. Raegan Zelaya and Shua Wilmot, both residence-hall directors, refused to remove the “she/her” and “he/him” pronouns from their email signatures when administrators requested it. The university terminated their employment last month.

The incident has sparked controversy, with approximately 600 Houghton alumni reportedly writing to the university in protest. The decision aligns with a broader political trend, as Republican lawmakers across the country have increasingly opposed the use of preferred pronouns in schools and workplaces. This comes amid ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals in securing acceptance of their gender identities.

Zelaya and Wilmot explained that they included their pronouns in emails to address potential misgendering, given their gender-neutral names. Both individuals are cisgender. Wilmot told The Times that the university’s stance reflects a trans-exclusive position, aiming to communicate that to prospective students and their families.

In 2021, Houghton University closed its multicultural-student center and declined to recognize an on-campus LGBTQ club after the club did not endorse more conservative views on sex and gender. The university has faced criticism for its policies on inclusivity and LGBTQ-related issues.

A spokesperson for Houghton University, Michael Blankenship, stated that the institution has never terminated employment based solely on the use of pronouns in email signatures. He noted that the university has required the removal of any extraneous content from email signatures, including Scripture quotes.

Zelaya shared her termination letter online, which cited her refusal to remove pronouns from her email signature as the reason for her dismissal. The letter also referenced criticism she received over a university decision, though the full context of that decision was not provided in the report.

The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between institutional policies on gender identity and the personal choices of employees, raising questions about the balance between inclusivity and institutional values. As the debate continues, the actions of Houghton University reflect broader societal and religious discussions on the role of pronouns in public and professional spaces.

Source: Read the original report