Transgender Worker Sues Employer for Denying ‘Gender-Affirming’ Health Coverage
A biological man who identifies as a transgender woman filed a discrimination complaint against his Christian employer for denying coverage for “gender-affirming” care.
According to the complaint, Lillian Bernier, 31, lives with “gender dysphoria” and is seeking irreversible transgender care to “live consistent with their gender identity.” Bernier works as a machinist for a company based in New Hampshire called Turbocam that makes parts for the HVAC, automotive, aviation and space exploration industries. The complaint alleges that his company is discriminating against his for not covering hormone therapy, counseling, and surgery to transition (via Boston.com):
The complaint was filed Dec. 16 with the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, as well as the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“Lillian is just asking to be treated with the same dignity, humanity, and fairness as other employees of the company,” said Bernier’s lawyer, Chris Erchull, of GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders in Boston.
“By maintaining a blanket exclusion of coverage for any health care related to transgender transition, the company is providing Lillian and any other transgender employees, presently or in the future, a lesser tier of benefits,” Erchull said. “It sends a message that her healthcare needs are not legitimate.”
(Read more from “Transgender Worker Sues Employer for Denying ‘Gender-Affirming’ Health Coverage” HERE)
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