Javier Chavez worked as a senior store detective at Macy’s in Flushing, New York. In May, he responded to a complaint from a mother and daughter that a man dressed as a woman had entered the ladies’ room with a woman. Chavez instructed security to oust the man from the restroom. Shortly thereafter, the man – who claimed to be transgender – lodged a complaint against security.

Days later, even though Chavez said he would abide by Macy’s policy – in spite of his religious beliefs as a Catholic – he was summarily fired. Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights argues it’s clear Chavez was fired for those beliefs.

“… This is a man who is being fired from Macy’s not because he violated any policy but because they don’t like his religious beliefs,” he tells OneNewsNow. “… If you work for Macy’s, you’re not allowed to think that men should go to men’s rooms and women should go to women’s rooms. That [goes] against what Macy’s believes.”

Donohue

Donohue is calling on all people of faith to let Macy’s know how wrong it is to violate the religious beliefs of employees.

“If you can’t even believe what you want to believe, if you’re not entitled to your own conscience – even if you’re going ahead to enforce it – that’s not enough for Macy’s,” Donohue exclaims.

“This is thought control,” he continues. “They want to get inside your mind and they’ll say it’s not enough for you to enforce our policy, even though you’re opposed to it – you have to give up your religious convictions if you want to work at Macy’s.”

Chavez has filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Donahue has posted a YouTube video providing more details.