Public Media from Michigan State University

Nurse says he was fired over treating Muslim women

By Associated Press

Dearborn, MI – A male registered nurse and Vietnam War Army medic has sued the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, saying he was fired for disobeying a Muslim supervisor's order not to treat women wearing conservative Islamic dress.

John Benitez Jr. filed a sex discrimination suit Wednesday inDetroit U.S. District Court.

The Associated Press left phone and email messages Thursday seeking comment from Dearborn officials. The Detroit News says a Dearborn spokeswoman declined comment.

In his complaint, Benitez says he joined Dearborn's Health Department in September 2010.

He says a Muslim supervisor told him to refer patients wearing the hijab to her. Benitez says he complied until a doctor told him to disregard the order.

Benitez says he was fired Dec. 1, 2010, told "conservative male Muslim clientele" didn't want a man treating women.

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