Lawsuit Over Transgender Protections Sparks Concerns About Disability Rights

Seventeen state attorneys general face backlash over a legal challenge that could impact longstanding federal disability protections.

A lawsuit led by Texas and joined by 16 other states challenges the Biden administration's inclusion of gender dysphoria under federal disability protections in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Disability advocates and parents fear the lawsuit could undermine broader protections for people with disabilities, sparking public outcry and social media campaigns.
State attorneys general involved in the lawsuit insist they are not seeking to invalidate Section 504 entirely, but legal experts argue the lawsuit's language could lead to broader consequences depending on judicial interpretation.
Section 504 has provided critical protections for individuals with disabilities, including accommodations in schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings, for over 50 years.
The lawsuit's future may depend on the Trump administration's stance, as litigation has been paused while the federal government reevaluates its position on the Biden-era rule.