Chili's Employee Claims Firing Linked to Pronoun Conflict

WHO:

NY Post - Wesley Kirk Ford Jr. is the former employee involved in the incident.

Fox News - The nonbinary coworker referred to in the dispute is unnamed.

WHAT:

NY Post - Ford alleges he was fired after referring to the nonbinary coworker "by her actual legal government name."

Fox News - Chili's claims that Ford was terminated for "repeated harassment."

WHERE:

NY Post - The incident took place at a Chili's restaurant in Louisiana.

WHY:

Fox News - Ford states that his firing was linked to his refusal to use preferred pronouns for the nonbinary coworker.

HOW:

NY Post - The restaurant's management characterized Ford's actions as harassment.

(UPDATED July 16, 2026 10:35 UTC)

Wesley Kirk Ford Jr., a former employee at a Chili's restaurant in Louisiana, alleges he was fired for referring to a nonbinary coworker by their legal name, while the restaurant claims he was terminated for repeated harassment. Ford contends that his dismissal was tied to his refusal to use the coworker's preferred pronouns, which management characterized as harassment. The unnamed nonbinary coworker is at the center of this dispute, highlighting the complexities surrounding workplace policies on gender identity.