After appearing on MTV's Reality Show "True Life," Domaine Javier - a transgender woman - was expelled from her nursing program at California Baptist University (CBU) in Riverside. The 24-year-old student revealed on the show that she is biologically male, inciting a major roadblock in her career path.
The private university claims that Javier was expelled for "committing or attempting to engage in fraud, or concealing identity" and for presenting false or misleading information in university judicial processes, reports The Press-Enterprise. Javier, who has identified herself as a female since she was a toddler, did so on her CBU application form.
"I didn’t do anything wrong,” said Javier. "They said, ‘On your application form you put 'female.' And I was like, 'Yeah, that’s how I see myself.'"
The expulsion became effective on August 30, just one week before Javier was slated to begin the nursing program. She had recently transferred to CBU from Riverside City College (RCC). "Devastated" by her expulsion, Javier returned to RCC but cannot enter the nursing program until next fall. "This totally ruined my career path," she said. "I've been trying to finish as soon as possible." Her graduation will be delayed by at least one year.
Mark Wood, an attorney with San Francisco-based Transgender Law Center, says that, although California law prohibits employment, housing, government, insurance and other types of discrimination based upon gender identity, private universities are generally not covered by the discrimination law.
CBU is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which is the most conservative major Baptist denomination. Javier, aware of the university's religious foundation but unaware of its affiliation, says she "didn't know they were that extreme."
Raising awareness and support on transgender issues were two major reasons why Javier applied to appear on the reality show episode "I’m Passing as Someone I’m Not," which aired in April. Despite the detrimental backfire, she does not regret her decision to publicize her gender identity. “I’m a happier person now,” she said, having received much positive feedback from supporters.
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