Four San Diego-area families have filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Rady Children’s Health violated the civil rights of their transgender children by discontinuing gender-affirming care. The complaint, filed Thursday in San Diego County Superior Court, claims the decision harmed nearly 1,900 patients through canceled appointments, disrupted hormone treatments, and emotional distress.
The lawsuit argues the move violates state law by denying care based on gender identity. Speaking to The Advocate, Amy Whelan of the National Center for LGBTQ+ Rights said the case focuses on whether transgender patients were unfairly targeted. She said that the hospitals cannot legally decline to treat a patient because of who they are, calling the decision unconscionable.
The hospital system cited “recent federal actions” when it ended care, as pressure tied to policies under Donald Trump has led some hospitals to reconsider services linked to federal funding. The lawsuit comes alongside separate legal action filed in January by California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the same issue.
