Model Whose Pronouns Changed Advances Bias Suit Against Agency

A model allegedly denied the opportunity for male jobs after beginning his gender transition can pursue discrimination claims against his former agency, a federal magistrate judge in New York said.

Muse Management Inc. didn’t provide enough evidence about whether the model was an independent contractor—who wouldn’t fall under the protections of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—to toss out the case before a jury weighs in, a magistrate judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York said. The court denied the company’s summary judgment motion Monday.

Frances Coombe spent more than a ...