Jerry Sharell alleges Dr. Phil and his companies treated him differently because he is openly gay.
Dr. Phil McGraw is facing a lawsuit from his former publicist. Alleging he was treated differently at the media personality’s companies because he is openly gay.
Jerry Sharell filed the lawsuit, accusing McGraw and his companies of sexual-orientation discrimination, failure to pay timely wages and wrongful termination.
According to the lawsuit, Sharell claims the company placed him on leave under what he describes as “false” pretenses and later terminated him.
McGraw’s attorney, Chip Babcock, strongly denied the allegations, saying Sharell was placed on hiatus as part of normal practice at a media start-up and was not fired.
“These allegations against Envoy and Dr. Phil are made up out of whole cloth.” Babcock said, adding that McGraw has a long history of treating LGBTQ+ communities with “dignity and respect.”
Sharell’s lawsuit centres partly on McGraw’s move into a new media venture, Merit Street Media, which has partnered with Christian broadcaster Trinity Broadcasting Network.
According to the complaint, employees were required to sign a “Statement of Faith” declaring their devotion to Jesus.
Sharell says he believed McGraw deliberately excluded him from the company’s move to Texas because he is openly homosexual.
He also alleges that the workplace adopted a more overtly religious atmosphere. Including weekly visits from a pastor and three employer-led prayers during staff meetings.
Sharell says the environment left him “uncomfortable” and “disturbed.”
The lawsuit also alleges several comments from McGraw that Sharell interpreted as references to his sexuality. In one alleged incident in 2025, McGraw reportedly told him he was “gayer than a fruit basket and not listening.”
He claims his sexual orientation played a substantial role in the treatment he received and his eventual termination.
Sharell is seeking damages and legal costs and has requested a jury trial.
McGraw and Envoy Media deny the allegations.
