WASHINGTON — A federal judge has determined that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons must continue offering hormone therapy and social accommodations to transgender inmates. This decision follows an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump that had interrupted these medical treatments.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that federal law bars prison authorities from depriving inmates of medical treatments and accommodations deemed necessary by medical professionals.
The judgment comes after several transgender inmates filed a lawsuit to prevent Trump’s executive order, citing distress rooted in gender dysphoria, which occurs when an individual’s assigned gender does not match their gender identity.
“In addressing the plaintiffs’ intentions for undergoing gender-affirming care, neither the BOP nor the executive order justifies treating these treatment options differently from other mental health interventions,” Lamberth stated.
Currently, the Bureau of Prisons administers hormone therapy to over 600 inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria. These inmates face potential risks, including depression and anxiety, if deprived of such treatments, the judge pointed out.
Trump’s executive order had mandated alterations in the Bureau’s medical policies to prevent federal expenditure on gender appearance transformation, thereby targeting hormone therapies and other accommodations.
Lamberth’s decision extends beyond the individual plaintiffs in the lawsuit, embracing all current and future federal prisoners.
Among the plaintiffs is Alishea Kingdom, a transgender woman who was subjected to disrupted hormone therapy after the order. Additionally, her access to necessary social accommodations has not yet been fully restored.
“In Ms. Kingdom’s scenario, there is no guarantee that the Bureau intends to sustain her hormone therapy long-term,” noted Lamberth, highlighting that her treatments might be precarious following the litigation.
Trump’s order also authorized the Bureau to ensure male inmates were not housed in women’s facilities. However, in a recent decision, Lamberth temporarily halted the transfer of three transgender women from women’s prisons to men’s facilities.
Lamberth noted an absence of deliberation by Trump and prison officials regarding the detrimental effects these policies might have on transgender inmates.
“The officials argue that the plaintiffs aren’t experiencing irreparable harm since they currently have hormone access. However, their access remains uncertain,” Lamberth concluded.
The plaintiffs are represented by legal teams from the Transgender Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Lamberth, appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1987, maintains a senior judge status on the bench.