Transgender Patient Sues Catholic Hospital for Discrimination

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a transgender patient who was refused a hysterectomy at a California Catholic hospital.

 

Evan Michael Minton is a 35-year-old former state capitol legislative aide who sought a hysterectomy in an attempt to become a male.

 

Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael canceled Minton's surgery last summer, one day before it was scheduled to take place. The procedure was later performed at a different hospital.

 

The case will pit California's non-discrimination law on sexual orientation against a Catholic hospital's freedom of religion, which could become a federal case that would test the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.  

 

The plaintiffs allege that the hospital and its network violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation and other criteria.

 

Conservative columnist Ed Morrissey said on HotAir.com, "This isn't a lawsuit that intends to correct an injustice. It's yet another example of 'lawfare' designed to drive Catholic health services into closure."