Transgender Inmate Settles Civil Rights Suit with Orange County, CA
Media Contacts:
Mattheus Stephens, Stock Stephens, LLP, 619-234-5488 x 308,
Christopher Daley, Transgender Law Center, 415-865-0176,
July 5, 2007 - John Doe, a 2005 inmate of the Orange County Jail, today successfully settled a civil rights suit against the County resulting in significant policy changes and a settlement sum of close to $50,000. Doe, represented by San Diego law firm Stock Stephens, LLP and the Transgender Law Center (TLC), alleged denial of medical care and gender identity harassment in the suit. The resulting policy changes will formalize policies regarding provision of hormones to transgender inmates and training for medical and corrections staff.
“This settlement is a huge win for our client and for transgender people throughout Orange County,” said Mattheus Stephens, Partner with Stock Stephens, LLP. “We signed on to this case because we were appalled by the way our client was treated and believe that this settlement goes a long way towards guaranteeing that the County takes seriously the needs of transgender residents.”
“Transgender prisoners around the state and nation are at high risk for abuse and denial of medical care,” said Christopher Daley, TLC Director. “We’re proud to have worked with Doe and Stock Stephens to not only reach resolution for the harm Doe suffered, but also to have successfully worked with Orange County officials to move forward on these important safety issues. We look forward to working with the County over the next year to implement the terms of the settlement.”
In reaching this settlement, the County denied all wrong doing. Doe and his attorneys were impressed by the County’s willingness to engage on these issues and their clear commitment to making the agreed upon policy changes.
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Transgender Law Center, founded in 2002, provides free legal services to transgender people throughout California and works with community members and partnering organizations on cutting-edge transgender rights policy initiatives.
Stock Stephens, LLP, Attorneys Lauri Stock and Mattheus Stephens merged their practices in 1999 and shortly thereafter started Stock Stephens, LLP. Together they focus on domestic partnerships, civil rights and human dignity issues, employing their combined 36 years of legal experience in the fight to end discrimination and establish equality for the LGBT community and others.
