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Transgender man sues UPitt, alleges discrimination

Seamus Johnston (l) Photo: Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
Seamus Johnston (l)
Photo: Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette

A transgender man has filed a lawsuit against the University of Pittsburgh, claiming he was expelled and subject to FBI scrutiny because of a dispute over locker room use.

The lawsuit was filed Monday by 24-year-old Seamus Johnston, of Johnstown. He was born a woman but filed a name change with Pitt in 2011 and enrolled in a men’s weightlifting class. Officials told Johnston not to use the men’s locker room, and later banned him from the school, according to the lawsuit.

Johnston also claims the university retaliated by providing his name to the FBI during a series of bomb threats in the spring of 2012. The FBI questioned Johnston but didn’t charge him.

University spokesman Ken Service says Pitt will vigorously defend itself against Johnston’s claims.

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Associated Press

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