fbpx
Skip to content
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Threads
Connect

Connect

Inspire. Empower. Change.

  • Home
  • Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Connect Brand Sponsors
    • Connect Community Foundation
    • Contact
    • Giveaways
    • Media & Press Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Prism Job Network
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • Read
    • Arts
    • Business
    • Community
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Life
    • News
      • News By Location
        • Middle Tenn
          • Murfreesboro
          • Nashville
        • East Tenn
        • West Tenn
    • People
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
      • Submit an Event
    • Event Photos
    • Connect Community Health Fair
    • Bark in the Boro
    • HoliGAY Market
  • Business Directory
  • Community Resources
  • Virtual Issues
  • Shop
  • TPC Visitors Guide
  • Home
  • Health
  • Fed to Remove Gender Dysphoria from Protected Disabilities List
  • Health
  • National
  • News
  • Politics

Fed to Remove Gender Dysphoria from Protected Disabilities List

HHS reverses gender dysphoria protections while lawsuit threatens to dismantle Section 504 disability rights for all Americans.
Editor Connect 1 month ago 2 min read
A black notebook titled "ADA Americans with Disabilities Act" lies on a wooden table, accompanied by reading glasses and pens.

It’s unclear what the move means for a related lawsuit that could dismantle protections for all people with disabilities.

By Anna Claire Vollers, Stateline
Originally published by The 19th

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will remove gender dysphoria from disabilities protected under federal law, but it’s still unclear whether 17 Republican state attorneys general will continue a related lawsuit that could dismantle federal protections for all people with disabilities.

Last fall, Texas GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the federal government over the Biden administration’s addition of a gender identity-related disorder to the disabilities protected under a portion of federal law known as Section 504.

Republican attorneys general from 16 other states joined the lawsuit: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

But they faced a swift backlash earlier this year. Disability advocates pointed to parts of their lawsuit that asked the court to find all of Section 504 unconstitutional, not just the update that included gender dysphoria.

If the court agrees, advocates fear that schools, workplaces, hospitals and other entities could refuse to provide disability accommodations they’ve been required to provide for the past 50 years.

AGs hurried to distance themselves. Arkansas Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin, Georgia Republican Attorney General Chris Carr and others adamantly denied that interpretation and said their only goal was to remove protections for people with gender dysphoria.

The new HHS ruling seems to achieve what the AGs said they wanted. It essentially declares that the Biden update adding gender dysphoria to disability law can’t be enforced.

But the broad language of the lawsuit leaves open the possibility, some experts say, for the court to strike down the entirety of Section 504 protections.

The state AGs’ position should become clearer in a few days. They’re scheduled to file an update with the court on April 21.

Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at [email protected].

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: [email protected].

Share This Story:
Tags: lgbtq health lgbtq news lgbtq politics the 19th

Continue Reading

Previous: Out Now: Bryan Ruby Strikes Balance Between Roots and the Road With ‘Growin’ On Me’
Next: Vanderbilt University and Medical Center Remove DEI Initiatives Amid Federal Pressure; Harvard Stands Firm

Related Stories

800x550 (39) Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal in ‘Only Two Genders’ T-Shirt Case, Upholds School’s Ban 2 min read
  • National
  • News
  • Politics

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal in ‘Only Two Genders’ T-Shirt Case, Upholds School’s Ban

Editor Connect 6 hours ago
A group of protesters holds signs advocating for the protection of LGBTQ+ lifeline services against proposed cuts, set against a city skyline. 988 Crisis Line Cuts Could Endanger LGBTQ+ Youth, Lawmakers Warn 2 min read
  • Health
  • National
  • News
  • Politics

988 Crisis Line Cuts Could Endanger LGBTQ+ Youth, Lawmakers Warn

Editor Connect 2 weeks ago
Graphic depicting the text "Tennessee Pronoun Laws" alongside a stylized transgender symbol against blue and pink stripes. Tennessee’s Expansive Pronoun Laws Spark Concern Over Discrimination and Privacy Violations 2 min read
  • Local
  • News
  • Politics

Tennessee’s Expansive Pronoun Laws Spark Concern Over Discrimination and Privacy Violations

Editor Connect 2 weeks ago
Colorful poster for Nashville Pride 2025, featuring event details, a rainbow, city skyline, and Kim Petras as the concert headliner. Nashville Pride Unveils 2025 Festival Lineup: Kim Petras, 4 Non Blondes, Big Freedia & More 5 min read
  • Community
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Nashville
  • News
  • Pride Festivals

Nashville Pride Unveils 2025 Festival Lineup: Kim Petras, 4 Non Blondes, Big Freedia & More

Lauren Means 4 weeks ago
Stylized graphic for the Tennessee Pride in Business Awards 2025, featuring colorful stars and a modern design. Tennessee Pride Chamber Announces 12th Annual Pride In Business Awards At Saint Elle  2 min read
  • Business
  • Community
  • Events
  • News

Tennessee Pride Chamber Announces 12th Annual Pride In Business Awards At Saint Elle 

Editor Connect 4 weeks ago
A group of friends enjoy colorful drinks at a lively gathering, promoting the "Dining Out for Life" event in Nashville on May 1st. Dining Out For Life® Returns To Nashville May 1 2 min read
  • Community
  • Events
  • Food
  • Fundraising
  • Health
  • Local
  • Nashville
  • News

Dining Out For Life® Returns To Nashville May 1

Lauren Means 1 month ago

Search

Recent Posts

  • Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal in ‘Only Two Genders’ T-Shirt Case, Upholds School’s Ban
  • 988 Crisis Line Cuts Could Endanger LGBTQ+ Youth, Lawmakers Warn
  • Tennessee’s Expansive Pronoun Laws Spark Concern Over Discrimination and Privacy Violations
  • REVIEW: ‘MJ’ is a Thrilling Tribute to a Legend
  • Nashville Pride Unveils 2025 Festival Lineup: Kim Petras, 4 Non Blondes, Big Freedia & More

Connect is an inclusive community and media brand committed to providing information and access to resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

Connect is owned and published by S&L Companies, LLC. ©2020-2024 | All rights reserved.

  • News
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Threads
Copyright Connect© 2020-2024 | All rights reserved.

Accessibility Bar

    • visibility_offDisable flashes

    • titleMark headings

    • settingsBackground Color

    • zoom_outZoom out

    • zoom_inZoom in

    • remove_circle_outlineDecrease font

    • add_circle_outlineIncrease font

    • spellcheckReadable font

    • brightness_highBright contrast

    • brightness_lowDark contrast

    • format_underlinedUnderline links

    • font_downloadMark links

    • Reset all optionscached

    • Accessibility Light