Former Chronicle reporter claims discrimination

Sarah Tressler, shown in February, filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sarah Tressler, shown in February, filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Photo: Dave Rossman, . Photo: Dave Rossman, . Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Former Chronicle reporter claims discrimination 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Former Houston Chronicle reporter Sarah Tressler has filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, her attorney announced Thursday.

At a news conference in Los Angeles, attorney Gloria Allred said Tressler was fired from the Chronicle because of her part-time job as an exotic dancer. "Men who are independent contractors are not fired for work done legally," Allred told reporters.

In a one-page EEOC complaint, Tressler wrote that she was terminated "because my prior activity as an adult dancer was not disclosed when I applied for the job. I believe that the stated reason for my termination was pretextual in that I answered the questions that were put to me truthfully in connection with my application for employment. The true reason for my termination was discrimination on account of my gender.''

The Houston Press published a story headlined "Sarah Tressler: Houston Chronicle Society Writer By Day, Stripper By Night" on March 26. Tressler lost her job the following week.

Tressler, who tweets and blogs as the "Angry Stripper," posted a picture of her and Allred on Thursday. "Couldn't ask for anyone better by my side... So grateful," she said.

The Chronicle declined to comment.