Ex-aide files lawsuit against Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, claiming dismissal due to his sexual orientation
Alex Chadwell, who previously worked in Nehls’ congressional office, stated that he faced ostracism and was marginalized after Nehls learned about his sexual orientation. Nehls, however, refutes these allegations.
TroibNews 
A former aide to Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) has filed a lawsuit against the lawmaker's office, claiming a series of homophobic remarks made by Nehls and his chief of staff, as well as efforts to force the aide out of his position due to his sexual orientation. The lawsuit was submitted on Friday.
Alex Chadwell served as a legislative correspondent in Nehls’ Washington, D.C. office from January to May 2021, after which he moved to the district office in Richmond, Texas. He contends that he transferred to escape “direct anti-gay hostility” from his supervisor, chief of staff Robert Schroeder, as stated in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the suit, Schroeder made disparaging comments such as “gays go to hell” and remarked that natural behavior is “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” among other statements.
The lawsuit claims that Schroeder also advised Chadwell to avoid interacting with gay constituents and indicated that he would not support legislation promoting LGBTQ+ rights. In response, Emily Matthews, a spokesperson for Nehls, clarified that the office has “not, and does not discriminate based on any unlawful factor.”
“There is no merit whatsoever to Mr. Chadwell's claim and the allegations of sexual orientation harassment are totally false,” Matthews stated. “The office intends to mount a vigorous defense in this matter and is confident that it will be exonerated once all the facts are known.”
In an email, Schroeder claimed that “every single aspect is a complete fabrication,” echoing Matthews’ statement.
Chadwell has directed inquiries to his attorney, Les Alderman, due to the ongoing litigation.
“It is particularly reprehensible that someone could be forced out of a job because of their sexuality in this day and age,” Alderman remarked. “We should be beyond this as a society, and we will be sure that justice is served.”
The lawsuit alleges that after Nehls and his staff learned of Chadwell's sexual orientation, their interactions with him and his family at social events ceased. The suit further claims that Nehls and Schroeder began to strip Chadwell of responsibilities, including those related to accompanying Nehls—who is a family friend—on trips in the district.
Mary Davis, who was the deputy district director in Nehls’ Richmond office at the time of Chadwell’s transfer, recounted that in August 2022, Nehls had another former staffer contact her to inquire about Chadwell's sexual orientation. She noted that once Nehls discovered Chadwell was gay, his treatment of Chadwell changed drastically.
“They were really good family friends and then it was like Alex was dead to him after he found out he was gay,” Davis said.
Davis recalled an incident when a colleague was watching the LGBTQ+ reality series “Queer Eye,” during which Nehls commented, “Why are we watching this? We need to turn it off. We don’t support these people.”
After Schroeder informed Davis that Chadwell would be joining her team as a field representative, he described Chadwell as “too sensitive,” “soft,” and “not made out for D.C.,” which Davis interpreted as a reference to Chadwell’s sexuality affecting his suitability for Washington.
Davis also alleged that she was fired from Nehls’ office, claiming retaliation after she lodged an internal complaint about age discrimination and a hostile work environment purportedly fostered by Schroeder.
Nehls’ office has not responded to questions regarding Davis’s termination or her claims of age discrimination.
Chadwell asserts that in September 2023, Schroeder pressured him to resign, suggesting he consider a position with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and that he faced daily pressure to leave his job.
According to the lawsuit, Schroeder explained Chadwell's suggested departure by stating their “lifestyles” did not align. Chadwell ultimately left his position in October 2023.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
Alex Chadwell served as a legislative correspondent in Nehls’ Washington, D.C. office from January to May 2021, after which he moved to the district office in Richmond, Texas. He contends that he transferred to escape “direct anti-gay hostility” from his supervisor, chief of staff Robert Schroeder, as stated in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the suit, Schroeder made disparaging comments such as “gays go to hell” and remarked that natural behavior is “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” among other statements.
The lawsuit claims that Schroeder also advised Chadwell to avoid interacting with gay constituents and indicated that he would not support legislation promoting LGBTQ+ rights. In response, Emily Matthews, a spokesperson for Nehls, clarified that the office has “not, and does not discriminate based on any unlawful factor.”
“There is no merit whatsoever to Mr. Chadwell's claim and the allegations of sexual orientation harassment are totally false,” Matthews stated. “The office intends to mount a vigorous defense in this matter and is confident that it will be exonerated once all the facts are known.”
In an email, Schroeder claimed that “every single aspect is a complete fabrication,” echoing Matthews’ statement.
Chadwell has directed inquiries to his attorney, Les Alderman, due to the ongoing litigation.
“It is particularly reprehensible that someone could be forced out of a job because of their sexuality in this day and age,” Alderman remarked. “We should be beyond this as a society, and we will be sure that justice is served.”
The lawsuit alleges that after Nehls and his staff learned of Chadwell's sexual orientation, their interactions with him and his family at social events ceased. The suit further claims that Nehls and Schroeder began to strip Chadwell of responsibilities, including those related to accompanying Nehls—who is a family friend—on trips in the district.
Mary Davis, who was the deputy district director in Nehls’ Richmond office at the time of Chadwell’s transfer, recounted that in August 2022, Nehls had another former staffer contact her to inquire about Chadwell's sexual orientation. She noted that once Nehls discovered Chadwell was gay, his treatment of Chadwell changed drastically.
“They were really good family friends and then it was like Alex was dead to him after he found out he was gay,” Davis said.
Davis recalled an incident when a colleague was watching the LGBTQ+ reality series “Queer Eye,” during which Nehls commented, “Why are we watching this? We need to turn it off. We don’t support these people.”
After Schroeder informed Davis that Chadwell would be joining her team as a field representative, he described Chadwell as “too sensitive,” “soft,” and “not made out for D.C.,” which Davis interpreted as a reference to Chadwell’s sexuality affecting his suitability for Washington.
Davis also alleged that she was fired from Nehls’ office, claiming retaliation after she lodged an internal complaint about age discrimination and a hostile work environment purportedly fostered by Schroeder.
Nehls’ office has not responded to questions regarding Davis’s termination or her claims of age discrimination.
Chadwell asserts that in September 2023, Schroeder pressured him to resign, suggesting he consider a position with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and that he faced daily pressure to leave his job.
According to the lawsuit, Schroeder explained Chadwell's suggested departure by stating their “lifestyles” did not align. Chadwell ultimately left his position in October 2023.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
