A judge in Tennessee was demoted and eventually fired without cause because she was a lesbian, according to a lawsuit now playing out in Chattanooga.

In court papers Elizabeth Gentzler claimed she was discriminated against by Hamilton County Juvenile Court judge Rob Philyaw because he thought she would hurt his chances at reelection with Hamilton’s largely Republican constituency.

Gentzler, 38, began working in the court in 2010 and received positive reviews until Philyaw was appointed Juvenile Court judge in 2013. That’s when, she says, the acceptance she felt by his predecessor, Judge Suzanne Bailey, turned into a hostile work environment.

Philyaw and administrator Sam Mairs reportedly made homophobic jokes, ignored her suggestions, and transferred her to a different position without explanation. After she filed a complaint Philyaw and Mairs reportedly said they were concerned she had "robe fever or haughtiness.”

Gentzler was ultimately fired in September 2014 and is now suing Hamilton County for $500,000 in damages.

County Attorney Rheubin Taylor denied Gentzler was fired for being gay and reminded the jury that, in Tennessee, court employees work "at the pleasure of the judge."