Jere Downs

@JereDowns

KFC fired a restaurant manager for terminating a worker upon discovery that she is transgender, Eater reported Tuesday. Fast food worker Georgia Carter was hired by a Richmond, Virginia, KFC and axed almost immediately by the manager who instructed her not to report for training the following day. Carter's driver's license identified her as male, the transgender woman told a local TV station Friday after she was terminated.

At first, Carter, 27, told a WRIC reporter she was happy to be hired last week.

“He was like you have got the job,” Carter said. “I am going to start you out at $7.50 an hour. It is yours. We are going start you training on the computer tomorrow. It was like 11 to four (o clock).”

“He was like my supervisor, and I have a problem because on your license it says male but you’re … I said I’m transgender,” Carter told the ABC affiliate.

Carter says she couldn’t believe the manager’s reason for rescinding the job offer.

“Oh, we can’t hire you because we don’t know which bathroom you can use,” Carter told the television station.

In a statement to Eater, KFC chief people officer John Kurnick relayed news of that manager's termination following an internal Yum! Brands inquiry. KFC's franchisee policy bars discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, Kurnick said.

KFC supports gender equity, company spokeswoman Lori Ebenze said Tuesday. In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling last June to affirm the right to gay marriage, KFC posted support, for example, on Twitter June 26. In that tweet, Col. Harland Sanders' wears rainbow sunglasses in that image which also bears a quote from the KFC founder about fairness.

"Don't be against things so much as for things," Sanders said.

"KFC's policy is to treat everyone fairly, equally and with respect, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. Upon learning of this allegation, the franchisee who owns this Richmond restaurant conducted an immediate and thorough investigation. The manager has been terminated for violating the franchisee's anti-discrimination policy, which is inclusive of gender identity and sexual orientation. The franchisee's leadership has also had a conversation with Ms. Carter, offering her employment at this restaurant or any of their Richmond area KFC restaurants, effective immediately. Additionally, the franchisee is emphasizing sensitivity and compliance with their policies to keep this from happening again.”

Jere Downs can be reached at (502) 582-4669, JDowns@Courier-Journal.com or Jere Downs on Facebook.