Over the next three months, Oiler met five times with Winn Dixie managers and was told repeatedly to look for another job because he was to be fired. Although his job performance was fine, they said, his off work dressing as a woman could harm the com pany's image with the public. At the final meeting Oiler was terminated while continuing to protest that he adhered to company policy for at work dress. Said Oiler: "To be fired after 21 years with the company felt like a knife in my chest. I showed up for work on time did a good job and followed all the rules, but I was fired because I cross-dress off duty. We lost our health insurance, and nearly had our home foreclosed. The unbearable stress took, and still takes, a toll on our health and continues to affect our 24 year marriage. Although Oiler sued, a U.S. district judge decided federal laws against discrimination do not apply to transgendered people