SAN DIEGO (KTLA) — A woman is suing a Christian college for allegedly firing her because she engaged in premarital sex and became pregnant.
Teri James is claiming wrongful termination in her lawsuit against San Diego Christian College in El Cajon, where she worked as a financial aid specialist.
At a news conference on Thursday, James’ attorney, Gloria Allred said, “The HR director indicated that she was not being fired because she was pregnant.”
“Instead, she was being terminated because she had premarital sex.”
The 29-year-old received a termination notice stating she “engaged in activity outside the scope of the handbook and community covenant.”
The college contends that employees and some students have to sign a clause stating they won’t have pre-marital sex and will abstain from behavior inconsistent with Christian values.
James allegedly signed that clause when she was hired. Still, James says she was treated unfairly.
“I feel like what San Diego Christian College did to me was hurtful and un-Christ like,” James told reporters.
“I was unmarried, pregnant and they took away my livelihood,” James added.
Allred says the college will argue that, since it’s a religious entity, it can legally fire James. But she maintains that it’s a business entity, and the termination is illegal.