It sounds to me like he was just a power-tripping moron looking for an excuse to exert his new-found authority and you were the unfortunate target. If it is possible, get a new job, if it is not, then carry on. If I am ever in your part of Wisconsin, I will wear a kilt into your book store and buy a nice Bible. Lets see him try to talk to me like that, it would be the end of his career at that store! I have to respectfully disagree that you can say whatever you want to your employees (under the dress code policy) as long as it is a private company. Yes, you can set the dress code, but calling an employee's sexuality and gender identity into question is completely irrelevant and inappropriate! Of course you already know that, and you came to us to vent. You have my full support with whatever you decide to do. My advice, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. You are not a private in that Major's army. You are a well respected and valued employee, and you deserve to be treated as such!