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California Hospital Issues Veiled Apology To Transgender Patient

By Howard Friedman

Catholic News Agency reported on Tuesday that a Daly City, California Catholic hospital which is being sued for refusing to allow gender reassignment surgery has issued a "veiled apology" to the patient. (See prior related posting.) While still claiming that Catholic teaching prohibits it from accommodating the breast augmentation surgery sought by Charlene Hastings, last week the hospital issued a written statement saying: "We regret any confusion that may have come from this situation. We want this patient and her physician to know that they are welcome at Seton Medical Center." Hastings has already decided to have surgery elsewhere, and her lawsuit for damages will continue. California law allows religiously-affiliated hospitals to refuse to perform abortions, but has no anti-discrimination exemption for refusing transgender procedures.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 06, 2008 (boomark / email).