National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
A senior nurse in the UK, Jennifer Melle, is fighting to save her career after being disciplined for refusing to refer to a convicted child sex offender as a woman.
Melle, 40, was working at Epsom and St Helier University Hospital Trust when she declined to use female pronouns for the offender, known as ‘Mr X’, citing her Christian beliefs.
Melle claims she was subsequently subjected to racial abuse and physical threats, and was issued a final written warning.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) was also notified, alleging that Melle had breached professional standards.
The hospital trust argued that Melle’s refusal to use the offender’s preferred pronouns was a violation of the NMC Code of Conduct and the trust’s core value of “Respect”.
Melle has since been moved to another ward, which she considers a demotion, and has had her name removed from internal hospital systems.
With the support of the Christian Legal Centre, Melle has launched legal action against the trust, alleging harassment, discrimination, and breaches of her human rights.
The case has sparked debate about gender policies in public institutions and the rights of individuals to express their beliefs.
