TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge has determined that Florida’s ban on transgender health care discriminates against state employees and breaches their civil rights.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled on Thursday that the state’s ban contravenes Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which safeguards employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, was brought by three current and former state employees against the Florida Department of Management Services. They challenged the state’s exclusion of coverage for “gender reassignment or modification services or supplies,” arguing it denied them medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria.
Represented by Southern Legal Counsel, the ACLU of Florida, and Legal Services of Greater Miami, the plaintiffs argued that the state’s policy unfairly targets transgender employees.
Southern Legal Counsel attorney Simone Chriss expressed gratitude for the ruling, stating, “We are thankful the court is holding the state accountable for its discriminatory policy that treats transgender employees unequally. There is no valid reason to deny coverage for necessary treatment for gender dysphoria while covering other medical conditions.”
Judge Walker highlighted that health and pension benefits are integral to employee compensation, and denying these benefits based on sex effectively denies employment opportunities based on sex. He emphasized that medical treatment should be tailored to individual needs rather than imposed through blanket exclusions.
A trial will be scheduled to determine the damages owed to the plaintiffs.
The Florida Department of Management Services and the governor’s office have not yet responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
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