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Transgender woman files suit against former employer

A transgender woman is suing a security company after she said she was fired following her transition.

Rachel Wiggins began her transition from Richard in 2013.

Wiggins worked as a security enforcement officer with Advance Tactical Security in Port Orange.

"I was an officer that never missed a day of work, you know. I was loyal to the company, dedicated to the job and then to be let go was just a blow I couldn't believe happened,” Wiggins said.

PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Document: Transgender Lawsuit

Wiggins said she was threatened to either present herself as a man while working or be terminated. She informed the company's owner about her transition and said she was under a doctor's care.

Wiggins said the company gave her odd work hours in remote locations.

"I was put back into a place where there's no people around, not to ever be used on another job site again out in public," Wiggins said.

Wiggins said she was officially fired when she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The EEOC found she was discriminated against based on her sex. The EEOC letter of determination stated that the company denied the allegation.

The LGBT Center of Central Florida said there are many cases like this people never hear about.

"They're afraid of the repercussions from jobs, neighbors, friends, family and everybody finding out. It becoming worse than it actually is," Terry DeCarlo, of the LGBT Center, said.

Wiggins said she hopes she makes a difference.

The company could not be reached for comment.

Cox Media Group

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