Trans Woman & Nursing Home Reach Landmark Settlement After Complaint
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), which submitted the complaint on King’s behalf.“I’m thrilled to see this positive outcome,” King said in a news release. “I believe the new policies will keep others from experiencing mistreatment and will help people understand that transgender people are only seeking to be treated with dignity and respect like anyone else.”The complaint is the first known discrimination complaint by a trans elder against such a facility, according to GLAD.A staff attorney with the organization, Chris Erchull, said, “The model transgender nondiscrimination policy and public statement embracing transgender residents set a clear example for how such facilities can and should operate with respect to transgender older adults.”The settlement does not create a binding legal precedent, NBC News reports.
However, legal experts still believe that it will contribute to other facilities that they must obey state and federal antidiscrimination laws that protect trans people.The settlement was negotiated by the commission along with GLAD and the Adult Family Care Homes of Main, the company that owns Sunrise.The company did not admit guilt as part of the settlement, NBC News reports.
It still denies discriminating against King. It will provide $1,000 to King and $8,500 to GLAD’s attorney fees.As part of the settlement the company will also have a policy prohibiting discrimination against trans people and the company’s employees will undergo training by SAGECare on working with transgender people.
