Childcare worker sues daycare center for discrimination after she was fired by lesbian boss ‘in retaliation’ for refusing to read LGBT books to preschoolers
- Nelli Parisenkova, who is a Christian, was allegedly fired by her lesbian boss after she requested for LGBT books to be removed from the classroom in April
- Parisenkova was employed by Bright Horizons Children’s Center in Studio City, California for four years before she was fired
- The former childcare worker refused to promote anything that goes against her beliefs, including same-sex marriage
- Parisenkova’s lesbian boss allegedly became upset with the request and immediately had her escorted off the property
A Christian childcare worker has sued a daycare center for discrimination after she was allegedly fired by her lesbian boss for refusing to read LGBT books to preschoolers.
Nelli Parisenkova worked at Bright Horizons Children’s Center in California for four years before she was allegedly fired when the director Katy Callas disagreed with her refusal to read titles such as ‘Daddy, Papa, and Me’ and ‘Mommy, Mama, and Me’.
Callas, who is a lesbian, apparently ‘took personal offense’ to Parisenkova’s beliefs when the former worker requested LGBT books be removed from the classroom.
‘Ms Callas called Ms Parisenkova into her office, questioned her in an irate manner, told her that if she did not want to celebrate diversity this was not the place for her to work, gave her an administrative leave memo, escorted her outside with a security guard, and left her out in the 96-degree heat with no transportation,’ the lawsuit reads.
Parisenkova claimed she was previously told she would not be forced to read books about same sex-marriage when she was first hired. It is unclear who told her this.
Nelli Parisenkova was employed by Bright Horizons Children’s Center in Studio City, California for four years before she was placed on leave and eventually fired
The temperature at the Studio City care center reached 96F outside, which forced the children to play inside. Parisenkova noticed that five of the 12 books available for kids were LGBT friendly. Pictured: outdoor playground at a childcare center
Only 12 books were available for the students to read and five of them promoted same-sex relationships, including the books above
The book above was another LGBT friendly book that Parisenkova asked to be removed from the classroom
Parisenkova was working with a lead-teacher, only identified as Ana, on April 7 when she was placed on leave for asking to remove LGBT books from the shelves.
On the day she was fired, the temperature at the Studio City care center reached 96F outside, which forced the children to play inside.
Only 12 books were available for the students to read and five of them promoted same-sex relationships, according to the lawsuit.
The titles included ‘Daddy, Pappa, and Me’, Mommy, Mama, and Me’, both by Leslea Newman, and ‘Love Makes a Family’ by Sophie Beer.
The Christian teacher asked Ana if she could remove the books for the rest of the day, a request which which Ana agreed to before reporting the incident to director Callas.
‘Callas then called Ms. Parisenkova to Callas’ office,’ the lawsuit reads. ‘Ms. Parisenkova sensed that Callas was angry and assumed that Ana reported the request to remove the books from the shelf to Callas.
‘In the office, Callas was obviously angry and reprimanded Ms. Parisenkova for her request to remove the books for the day. Callas became increasingly angry, her breathing got harder, her skin became blotchy red, her eye expression livid, and her bodily posture was threatening as she leaned forward over the desk.
‘Callas concluded her tirade stating, ‘if you cannot celebrate with us, then Bright Horizons is not a place for you’.’
About an hour later, Parisenkova was then given a ‘leave memo’ and was escorted outside the care center before the end of the day.
She was forced to wait more than an hour in the stifling heat for an Uber or taxi driver, according to the lawsuit.
‘Ms. Parisenkova was treated like a dangerous criminal,’ the lawsuit reads.
Parisenkova said she requested religious accommodation from the childcare center a week later on April 15, but it was denied five days later.
She also claimed Bright Horizons terminated her life-insurance, required she complete diversity training and told her to resign.
Bright Horizons supports the LGBT community and enforces a non-discrimination policy. Pictured: families in 2018 participating in an LGBT History Month pride parade
Parisenkova later received a termination notice on April 22. The childcare center denied the allegations that the center didn’t approve Parisenkova’s request, according to the lawsuit.
‘Bright Horizons and Ms. Callas treated Ms. Parisenkova like a criminal, harassed her, and terminated here after four years of faithful service. This treatment was despicable,’ the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit claimed that Parisenkova doesn’t have an issue with communicating with those who don’t share her same beliefs but can’t ‘promote’ same-sex relationship lifestyles.
‘In this case, Ms. Parisenkova was not posting or displaying any negative messages regarding same-sex relationships,’ the lawsuit reads. ‘She was only seeking to be excused from promoting same-sex relationships due to the conflict with her sincere religious beliefs.’
Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons openly welcomes the LBGT community into their daycare centers across the US and the world.
The center enforces a non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy that focuses on ‘diversity, equity, & inclusion,’ according to the Bright Horizons website.
The care center has been open about its support for the LGBT community, including in 2018 when they posted about LGBT History Month and shared that many families associated with Bright Horizons walked in pride parades and created floats.
Source: Read Full Article