Appeals Court Affirms Decision Mandating Georgia County to Cover Transgender Deputy’s Surgery Costs

In a groundbreaking decision, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Georgia sheriff’s deputy, Sgt. Anna Lange, who was denied coverage for her gender-affirming surgery by Houston County. The court upheld a lower court’s ruling that the county’s refusal to cover Lange’s prescribed procedure amounted to illegal sex discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Sgt. Lange, an investigator for the Houston County sheriff’s office, filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Cullen Talton and the county in 2019 after being denied coverage for her gender-affirmation surgery. Despite facing resistance from the county, Lange persisted in her fight for basic healthcare rights.

“I have proudly served my community for decades and it has been deeply painful to have the county fight tooth and nail, redirecting valuable resources toward denying me basic health care,” Lange expressed in a statement released by the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, which represented her.

The court’s decision sets a significant precedent for transgender rights in the workplace, reaffirming that discrimination based on gender identity is a form of sex discrimination. The ruling not only ordered the county’s insurance plan to pay for Lange’s surgery but also awarded her $60,000 in damages.

This case highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and inclusivity in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rights of all individuals regardless of their gender identity.