Gender Dysphoria Poised to Be New Disability Rights Battleground

The legal argument that gender dysphoria is covered by federal disability law is gaining ground, paving the way for broader employment protections for transgender workers.

Nearly a year ago, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit became the first federal appeals court to tackle the issue. The court ultimately found that the Americans with Disabilities Act protects transgender people who experience distress caused by their gender identity not matching their sex assigned at birth.

The US Supreme Court last month declined to review the dispute, keeping the ruling in place and allowing federal district courts to continue to ...