Knight v. St. Joseph Hospital
What's at Stake
The 吃瓜直播 Foundation of Northern California, the 吃瓜直播 Foundation of Southern California and Rukin Hyland & Riggin LLP filed a lawsuit on March 21, 2019 on behalf of Oliver Knight, a 29-year-old transgender man who was denied surgery minutes before it was scheduled to take place based on the hospital鈥檚 religious beliefs, which do not recognize gender-affirming care.
Summary
On August 30, 2017, minutes before Mr. Knight was scheduled to receive a hysterectomy, the St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California canceled his surgery. St. Joseph regularly allows hysterectomies for patients who are not transgender. Mr. Knight鈥檚 medical records show the decision to cancel the surgery was based on an 鈥渆thics assessment鈥� completed by a reverend with no medical training.
St. Joseph Health is owned by Providence St. Joseph Health Network, one of the largest health systems in the country鈥攐perating 51 hospitals, with over 25,000 physicians鈥攁nd in the state of California, where it operates 18 hospitals. In Eureka, where Knight sought and was denied access to medical services, St. Joseph Hospital is the only provider within 25 miles. Oliver Knight is represented by Elizabeth Gill of the 吃瓜直播鈥檚 National LGBT & HIV Project and the 吃瓜直播 of Northern California, Amanda Goad from the 吃瓜直播 of Southern California, and Jessica Riggin and Dylan Cowart from Rukin Hyland & Riggin LLP.
Update: As of January 31, 2023, this case is closed.
Legal Documents
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03/21/2019
Complaint
Date Filed: 03/21/2019
Court: Superior Court of California
Affiliate: Northern California, Southern California
