Gender Justice files discrimination lawsuit after Essentia Health abruptly ends care for transgender teen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2026

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Siena Iwasaki Milbauer, Senior Communications Manager
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(651) 789-2090 ext. 405

After years of care that allowed him to flourish, the 16-year-old and his family were left with no answers and no path forward.

Duluth, Minn.—

Today, Gender Justice and co-counsel Robins Kaplan LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 16-year-old transgender boy and his mother, identified in court documents as John and Jane Doe, against Essentia Health. The lawsuit argues that Essentia Health’s decision to abruptly end gender-affirming care for its minor patients, including John Doe, violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA).

John Doe began receiving care from Essentia Health at the onset of puberty. Five years of carefully managed care, guided by his doctors and supported by his family, allowed him to thrive. He grew more confident, found joy in school, and lived a full life as his authentic self. Then, when Doe was 16, Essentia Health terminated his life-changing care without notice or explanation, leaving the Does scrambling for answers about what was happening and what would come next.

“What happened to John Doe was not just wrong, it was illegal,” said Greta Wiessner, Senior Staff Attorney at Gender Justice. “Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, no provider can deny care to someone because of who they are. When Essentia Health ended gender-affirming care for all of its adolescent patients without explanation, it cut off John Doe and every young person like him from care they depend on. That is discrimination, and the law does not allow it.”

“Parents should never have to fear for their child’s life, safety, and happiness because of discrimination,” said Jane Doe, John Doe’s mother. “This has caused much suffering for our family.”

As one of the largest gender-affirming care providers in Northern Minnesota, Essentia Health also served families who travel in from neighboring states including North Dakota, which bans gender-affirming care for minors, and Michigan, where access continues to decline. For these families, the closure leaves them in limbo and fearful for their children’s health.

For transgender youth, gender-affirming care is evidence-based treatment supported by leading medical and mental health organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association. It works best when it is consistent and supervised over time, and stopping it abruptly is not recommended. This discrimination can also lead young people to distrust and disengage from health care systems altogether.

“Transgender youth deserve to live freely, safely and authentically, with access to the care that allows them to thrive,” said Megan Peterson, Executive Director at Gender Justice. “Across America, their rights are under attack, and too many institutions are choosing to abandon them rather than protect them. We will not. We will stand with trans young people and their families, defend their right to be who they are, and fight for a future where no child is denied care because of their gender.”

Learn more about this case here.

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Gender Justice is a legal and policy advocacy organization dedicated to advancing gender equity through the law. Our vision is a world where people of all genders, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations have the opportunity to thrive. We work toward our vision through impact litigation, advocacy, movement building, and public education.

Robins Kaplan LLP is a national trial law firm with more than 220 attorneys in seven major cities. Founded in 1938, the firm is known for its high-stakes litigation, strategic trial advocacy, and landmark results in intellectual property, antitrust, mass torts, and complex business disputes. Robins Kaplan represents both individuals and some of the world’s largest companies, combining aggressive litigation capabilities with a strong commitment to pro bono legal service, diversity, equity, and inclusion.