A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the implementation of a policy that would relocate transgender inmates to facilities aligning with their assigned sex at birth.
The ruling mandates that, until further notice, the plaintiff’s current housing and medical care must remain unchanged from their status prior to January 20, 2025. The judge acknowledged the plaintiffs’ strong case under the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment but refrained from taking a position on other claims presented in the lawsuit.
The legal challenge, filed last week, argues that a recent executive order targeting transgender individuals seeks to strip away their established legal protections. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of twelve transgender women incarcerated in federal facilities, who contend that being transferred to men’s prisons would expose them to severe risks, including harassment, assault, and rape.
One plaintiff cited concerns that she could be forced to shower in view of male inmates, exposing her body against her will. Similar claims were made on behalf of other transgender inmates, emphasizing the potential dangers of the policy.
Additionally, the executive order restricts the use of taxpayer funds for any medical care aimed at assisting inmates in aligning their physical appearance with their gender identity. The lawsuit asserts that such care, including hormone therapy and surgical treatments, is the accepted medical standard for treating gender dysphoria.
According to the lawsuit, prison officials recently informed the affected inmates that their transfers were imminent and that access to their medical treatments would be terminated once they were placed in male facilities.
This legal battle is part of broader opposition to efforts aimed at rolling back gender identity protections within federal institutions. A similar lawsuit was filed earlier by a transgender inmate who was relocated to a men’s facility shortly after the executive order was signed.
