A trans-identifying firefighter is suing the city of Philadelphia for allegedly refusing insurance coverage for his facial feminization surgery.
The firefighter, a 55-year-old man who has been with the Philadelphia fire department for 28 years, claims that the city, as well as his union, Firefighters & Paramedics Local 22, and Independence Blue Cross insurance all discriminated against him on the basis of his gender identity.
He filed his lawsuit anonymously as Jane Doe in federal court on January 31.
The veteran firefighter, who holds the supervisory position of fire battalion chief, claims the facial feminization surgery he wants is “medically necessary and not cosmetic” because of his gender dysphoria “disability.”
The lawsuit argues that denying him coverage of the procedure, which includes a laundry list of procedures including a rhinoplasty, a forehead reduction, and a hair…
