An Alexandria, Virginia, woman is suing the Library of Congress.

Fifty-two-year-old Diane Schroer alleges that a job offer there was withdrawn one day after she informed an official that she was making the transition from being a man to being a woman. She is suing for sex discrimination under the Civil Rights Act.

The former Army Special Forces commander applied in 2004 for a job as a terrorism research analyst. She testified Tuesday she was shocked when the job offer was rescinded.

The Library of Congress has argued that Schroer cannot sue because the Civil Rights Act does not protect transsexuals or prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The trial is being heard without a jury and testimony is expected to last about a week.