A nonbinary doctor is suing the corporation that operates New York City’s public hospitals, alleging a pattern of gender-based discrimination that led to their termination.

In their March 23 lawsuit against NYC Health + Hospitals, Danielle Peterson claims that when they started as a dermatology resident at New York Medical College’s program at Metropolitan Hospital Center, program director Dr. Marian Russo told them to keep their gender identity and pronouns secret, according to HRD America. Peterson alleges that concealing their gender identity became a condition of their employment.

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Their complaint reportedly goes on to describe a pattern of workplace harassment and discrimination, including being repeatedly misgendered and one faculty member describing trans and nonbinary people as “perverts.”

Peterson alleges that Department Chair Dr. Bijan Safai accused Peterson of “tricking” the program during their interview process, and threatened in November 2024 not to renew their contract unless they underwent an internal psychiatric evaluation. When Peterson explained that they were nonbinary, Safai allegedly told them about a transgender man who Safai said “was a lot uglier after he transitioned.” Safai allegedly told Peterson that they “would become ugly too” if they transitioned, according to HRD America.

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Peterson reportedly sought external evaluation from two outside doctors, both of whom cleared them for duty in December 2024. Nonetheless, Peterson alleges they were removed from clinical duties for that whole month. Peterson filed a formal discrimination complaint that same month.

The lawsuit claims that, contrary to policy, Peterson was never given a Performance Improvement Plan and was denied access to their personnel file. The decision not to renew their contract was finalized last April and reportedly cited unsatisfactory completion of the remediation plan and lack of improvement in professionalism. But the lawsuit claims that Peterson did not receive a remediation plan until more than 100 days after they were informed that their contract would not be renewed.

The lawsuit’s claims point to “unchecked” supervisory misconduct and a lack of rigor and consistency in the program’s institutional processes.

NYC Health + Hospitals has not responded to the lawsuit.

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