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The ex-transgender movement: litigation

One strategy used by anti-transgender activists is to solicit plaintiffs and subsidize litigation against providers of trans healthcare. They often do this by grooming ex-trans activists with regret about making a gender transition. There have also been wrongful death cases brought against practitioners.

Although gender transition regret rates are much lower than most medical treatments, this kind of litigation generates publicity for ex-trans activists, their lawyers, and the anti-trans organizations that support this kind of lawfare.

In many cases, the people involved know they will not prevail and litigate the cases in the press, knowing that anti-trans activists like Jesse Singal will publish prominent articles about the filing but often will not do similar levels of reporting on the outcome. This creates a chilling effect on care for our community. Similar litigation has been an effective strategy used by opponents of contraception, abortion, and other kinds of care related to sex and gender.

Most of these “detransition” cases get terminated or dismissed, usually before the case goes to a jury. Termination or dismissal of a case can happen for many reasons, as outlined here.

United States “detransition” cases: overview

The following ex-trans activists have brought civil cases in the United States.

  • “Jane Doe” (Wisconsin): case dismissed; upheld on appeal April 24, 2025
  • Soren Aldaco: case dismissed October 30, 2025
    • case dismissed against some defendants on December 15, 2023.
    • case dismissed against some defendants with ~$40K in sanctions on March 15, 2024, upheld on appeal.
    • case dismissed against remaining defendants with ~$73K in sanctions on October 30, 2025.
  • Richard Anumene: case reportedly “resolved”
  • Ramiel Anzu: filed October 31, 2024
  • Isabelle Ayala: case dismissed in June 2025
  • Morgan Hale: case dismissed July 9, 2025
  • Cristina Hineman: filed April 23, 2024
  • Christopher Miller: case dismissed September 17, 2024
  • Prisha Mosley / Charlie Mosley / Abigail Mosley: case dismissed August 28, 2025
  • Darlene Skane: plaintiff moved for voluntary dismissal September 2025
  • Amanda Stewart: filed November 21,  2023
  • Ciara Summers: case dismissed August 26, 2024
  • Layton Ulery / Hannah Ulery: case terminated September 17, 2025

Soren Aldaco

Main page: Soren Aldaco

  • Aldaco v. Perry, Crane Clinic, TX Health Physicians Grp, et al
  • Case: TX-Tarrant Co7-21-23
  • Jurisdiction: Tarrant County, TX
  • Plaintiff attorney: Ron Miller of Campbell Miller Payne
  • Original complaint https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ae9895b0-a62f-49d6-99d6-180b933bca97/Aldaco%20-%20Plaintiffs%20Original%20Petition%20(Final).pdf
  • Outcome: Dismissed with sanctions provided to defendants

Richard Anumene

Main page: Richard Ikechukwu Anumene

  • Ikechukwu Anumene v. Permanente Medical Group et al
  • Case: CGC-22-598800
  • Filed: March 22, 2022
  • Jurisdiction: San Francisco County, California
  • Plaintiff attorney: Daniel Watkins, Watkins & Letofsky
  • Outcome: Reportedly “resolved” according to an anti-trans site

Ramiel Anzu

Ramiel Anzu

Isabelle Ayala

Main page: Isabelle Ayala

  • Ayala v AAP, Rafferty, Forcier
  • Case: PC-2023-05428
  • Jurisdiction: Providence / Bristol County, Rhode Island
  • Filed: October 20, 2023
  • Plaintiff attorney: Jordan Campbell, Campbell Miller Payne
  • Outcome: Dismissed June 24, 2025

Clementine Breen

Main page: Clementine Breen

  • Breen v. Olson-Kennedy et al
  • Case: 24STCV32096
  • Jurisdiction: Los Angeles County, CA
  • Plaintiff attorneys: Charles LiMandri; Campbell Miller Payne
  • Outcome: Dismissed October 29, 2025

Chloe Brockman / “Chloe Cole”

Main page: Chloe Brockman

  • Chloe E. Brockmana aka Chloe Cole v Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
  • Case: STK-CV-UMM-2023-0001612
  • Jurisdiction: San Joaquin County, California
  • Filed: February 22, 2023
  • Plaintiff attorneys: LiMandri, Dhillon, Trammell / Center for American Liberty

July Carlan / “Shape Shifter”

Main page: July Carlan

  • Carlan v. Fenway Community Health Center, Inc.
  • Case: 1:2023cv12361
  • Filed: October 12, 2023
  • Jurisdiction: US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • Plaintiff attorney: Mitra Forouhar, MNF law
  • Outcome: Dismissed March 28, 2025, appealed by Carlan April 2, 2025

Katie Coblentz / Katie Anderson

Main article: Katie Coblentz / Katie Anderson

  • Katie Coblentz (fka Katie Anderson) v United States of America, ex rel. Fenway Community Health Center, et al
  • Defendants: Fenway Community Health Center, Inc., Molly McHenry, Renee Randazzo, Ralph Vetters, Samantha Hodgins, Karla HoxhaBrown, Samantha Gendron, Amy Teasdale, Cindy Castor, Rachel Kahn, Adrianna Graziano, Scott Corbett, Lissette Garcia, Doreen Clark, Jojo Amanfu
  • Case No. 1:25-cv-10435-NMG
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • Filed: February 21, 2025
  • Judge: Nathaniel M. Gorton
  • Original complaint https://ia600807.us.archive.org/11/items/gov.uscourts.mad.281092/gov.uscourts.mad.281092.1.0.pdf
  • Justia https://dockets.justia.com/docket/massachusetts/madce/1%3A2025cv10435/281092?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  • Katie Anderson v Adam M Tobias, MD, et al.
  • Case: 2484CV01787
  • Trellis https://trellis.law/case/25025/2484cv01787/anderson-katie-vs-tobias-md-adam-m-et-al?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Cassidy Skye Fuller-Smith / Brandon Skye Fuller-Smith

Skye Fuller-Smith

  • This case was reported by anti-trans site Transition Justice
  • Fuller-Smith et al. v. Alder Health Services, Inc.
  • Case: 00250200-188
  • Jurisdiction: Philadephia Court of Common Pleas, Pennsylvania
  • Plaintiff attorney listed: Timothy G. Wolton
  • Plaintiff DOB: August 8, 2000
  • reported filing date: June 6, 2025

Paul Garcia-Ryan

Main page: Paul Garcia-Ryan

  • Garcia-Ryan v. Community Health Project, Inc.
  • Case: 1:24-cv-07117
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • Filed: September 19, 2024
  • Plaintiff attorney: Mitra Forouhar, MNF law

Morgan Hale / Morgan Keller

Main page: Morgan Hale

  • Morgan Hale v. Equitas Health, Inc, Mary Beth Rivard, and Ashley Laughlin Wilder
  • Case: 24-CV-002533
  • Jurisdiction: Franklin County, Ohio
  • Judge Bill Spelazza
  • Trellis https://trellis.law/case/39049/24-cv-002533/morgan-hale-vs-equitas-health-inc-vs-equitas-health-inc-et-al
  • Outcome: Dismissed with prejudice July 9, 2025

Luka Hein

Main page: Luka Hein

  • Hein v. UNMC, et al
  • Case: D01CI230007381 D01CI230007381
  • link NB-Douglas Co
  • Defendants: UNMC Physicians, The Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, Nahia J. Amoura, M.D., Perry Johnson, M.D., Stephan Barrientos, M.D., and Megan Smith-Sallans
  • Filed: September 13, 2023
  • Plaintiff attorneys: Mark Trammal, Charles S. LiMandri, Paul Jonna, Robert E. Weisenburger, Harmeet Dhillon, John-Paul Deol, Jesse D. Franklin-Murdock, Martin Cannon (Thomas More Society) Center for American Liberty, LIMANDRI & JONNA LLP and Dhillon Law Group

Cristina Hineman

Cristina Hineman

  • Cristina Hineman v. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, et al.
  • Case: 903971-24
  • Jurisdiction: New York State, County of Albany (Supreme Court, NY
  • Defendants: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.; Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Inc. (the affiliate where Hineman received care) ; Lee Stetzer, MD, Maureen Gara, NP, Jacqueline Dall, NP, Brianna Samson, PA of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood; Cassidy Robishaw, LMHC, Kristin Woods, MHC of Astor Services for Children & Families; Jeffrey L. Rockmore, M.D., P.C. of Rockmore Plastic Surgery.
  • Filed: April 23, 2024
  • Plaintiff attorneys: The Warshawsky Law Firm (Steven M. Warshawsky) and Campbell Miller Payne, PLLC.
  • Complaint https://cmppllc.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1303610/2024/07/Final-Complaint-4-23-24.pdf
  • Trellis https://trellis.law/case/36001/903971-24/hineman-v-planned-parenthood

Camille Kiefel

Main page: Camille Kiefel

  • Kiefel v Ruff et al
    • Case: 22CV29327
    • Jurisdiction: Multnomah County, Oregon
    • Defendants: Brave Space LLC, Mara Burmeister, Project Quest, Amy Ruff, Does 1-10
    • Judge: Katharine von Ter Stegge
    • Filed: August 29, 2022
    • Trellis https://trellis.law/case/41051/22cv29327/camille-kiefel-vs-amy-ruff-lcsw-does-1-10-brave-space-llc-mara-burmeister-lpc-project-quest
  • Kiefel v. Oregon Cosmetic and Reconstructive Clinic et al
    • Case: 24CV10314
    • Jurisdiction: Clackamas County, Oregon
    • Defendants: Oregon Cosmetic and Reconstructive Clinic, Tina Jenq, Providence Milwaukie Hospital
    • Filed: February 28, 2024
  • Plaintiff attorneys: Candice Jackson; Benjamin Boyd, Zachary Hostetter of Jackson Bone; Hostetter Law Group

Kayla Lovdahl / “Layla Jane”

Main page: Kayla Lovdahl / “Layla Jane”

  • Layla Jane v. Kaiser Hospital Foundation
  • Case: STK-CV-UMM-2023-0006100
  • San Joachin County, California
  • Filed: June 14, 2023
  • Plaintiff attorney: Harmeet Dhillon Center for American Liberty

Christopher Miller

Christopher Miller

  • Christopher Miller v Identity Hormones, LLC, et al
  • Case: CV2024008632
  • Defendants: Identity Hormones, LLC, Michael Jaorasdr
  • Jurisdiction: Maricopa County, AZ
  • Judge: Susanna Pineda
  • Outcome: dismissed September 17, 2024

Prisha Mosley / Charlie Mosley / Abigail Mosley

Main page: Prisha Mosley

  • Charlie Mosley, a.k.a. Prisha Mosley, a.k.a. Abigail Mosley, v. Eric T. Emerson, M.D., et al.
  • Case: 23-CVS-2375
  • Jurisdiction: Gaston County, North Carolina
  • Filed: July 17, 2023
  • Defendants: Eric T. Emerson, M.D., Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, P.A., Family Solutions, PLLC, Tree of Life Counseling, PLLC, Martha Fairbanks Perry, M.D., and The Moses Cone Memorial Hospital Operating Corporation d/b/a Cone Health. 
  • Plaintiff attorney: Josh Payne, Campbell Miller Payne
  • July 2, 2025: North Carolina passed House Bill 805, which extended the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims related to gender transition from 4 years to 10 years
  • August 15, 2025: Hearing on Motion to Reinstate based on new law
  • Outcome: Case dismissed against all defendants by Judge Ervin on August 28, 2025.

Darlene Skane

Darlene Skane

  • Darlene Christine Skane v. Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, et al.
  • Case: 25-2-02432-32
  • Jurisdiction: Washington
  • Filed: May 16, 2025
  • article: transitioned at age 38, regret two years later
  • Plaintiff attorneys: Campbell Miller Payne; Nicholas Jenkins
  • Outcome: Notice of voluntary dismissal reportedly filed in ~September 2025

Amanda Stewart

Amanda Stewart

  • Amanda Stewart v Turco, et al
  • Case: 226-2023-CV-00575
  • Jurisdiction: Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
  • Plaintiff attorneys: Roy McCandless (withdrew June 6, 2025); Campbell Miller Payne – Jordan Campbell, Ronald Miller, Joshua Payne, Daniel Sepulveda
  • Filed: November 21,  2023
  • Original complaint https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:b8a8b79e-83ef-4ce3-a38b-128645d8f102

Ciara Summers

Ciara Summers

  • Ciara Summers v Dr. Margaret Baum, et al
  • Case No. 2024-LA-000288 (IL)
  • Judge: Sarah Smith
  • Outcome: dismissed August 26, 2024

Hannah Ulery / Layton Ulery

Main page: Layton Ulery

  • Ulery v Rafferty, Forcier, Thundermist Health
  • PC-2023-05366
  • Jurisdiction: Bristol County, Rhode Island
  • Filed: October 20, 2023
  • Plaintiff attorney: Ron Miller, Campbell Miller Payne
  • Moved to federal court in 2024: 1:24-CV-00024
  • Outcome: Terminated on September 17, 2025

“Jane Doe”

“Jane Doe” / currently anonymous ex-trans activist in Illinois

  • Jane Doe v Jay Lick, D.O., et al
  • Case: 2023-CV-2875
  • Jurisdiction: Dane County, Wisconsin
  • Defendants: Jay C. Lick, D.O., and Katherine M. Gast, M.D.
  • Defendants-Respondents: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority and The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund
  • Filed: November 1, 2023
  • Plaintiff attorney: Daniel Cragg of Eckland & Blando, creators of Detransition Network (detransitionnetwork.com) and Gender Medical Malpractice Group (gendermedicalmalpractice.com/)
  • Hysterectomy at age 19, Top surgery at age 21, Now identifies as Jewish lesbian. Filed suit at age 23.
  • Wahlberg, David (December 23, 2023). UW doctors deny lack of informed consent in woman’s gender-altering surgeries. Wisconsin State Journal https://madison.com/news/local/business/health-care/article_6617b4fa-a0dd-11ee-853a-ffe5860f4a12.html
  • Wahlberg, David (November 3, 2023). Woman says UW doctors performed gender-altering surgeries without proper consent. Wisconsin State Journal https://madison.com/news/local/business/health-care/woman-says-uw-doctors-performed-gender-altering-surgeries-without-proper-consent/article_ff7bd30a-79ab-11ee-82bc-8fefeb60d060.html
  • https://law.justia.com/cases/wisconsin/court-of-appeals/2025/2024ap001459.html
  • Outcome: Dismissed; dismissal upheld on appeal in 2024-AP-1459 on April 24, 2025

US wrongful death cases

Anti-trans activists often publicize wrongful death cases against practitioners. These include:

Sean Michael Heeney (wrongful death case)

  • alleged wrongful death case reported on anti-trans site Transition Justice
  • John Heeney, as personal representative of decedent Sean Michael Heeney and special administrator of the estate v Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
  • Jurisdiction: California

Abigail Suzanne Pierce (wrongful death case)

  • Lisa Pierce, as Parent and Natural Guardian of Abigail Suzanne Pierce, Plaintiff, v. Amy L. Beard, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance
  • Case: 49D06-2409-CT-040990
  • Jurisdiction: Marion County, Indiana
  • Details: Wrongful death claim. In March 2020 at age 19, Pierce had top surgery with Sidhbh Gallagher and subsequently died from a pulmonary embolism.
  • Trellis https://trellis.law/doc/216719846/petition-filed-petition-for-payment-damages-from-pcf

Corey Towe (wrongful death case)

  • Towe et al. v. Cherokee Health Systems et al.
  • Case: 3:2024‑cv‑00136
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
  • Filed: March 25, 2024
  • Towe et al v. United States of America
  • Plaintiffs: Shawn Towe and Karen Towe
  • Case: 3:2024-cv-00184
  • Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
  • Filed: April 24, 2024
  • https://dockets.justia.com/docket/tennessee/tnedce/3:2024cv00184/114207

Canada cases

The following cases have been announced in Canada:

Lois Cardinal

Lois Cardinal

  • Statement of Claim reportedly filed in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
  • Filed: February 2025
  • Defendants: “the Province of Alberta, a Montreal hospital, two physicians and one unnamed nurse”
  • details
  • Background: in 2009 (at age ~21) Cardinal had vaginoplasty. Was later denied medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Michelle Zacchigna

Main page: Michelle Zacchigna

  • Statement of Claim reportedly filed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
  • Defendants: eight doctors and mental health professionals
  • Filed: November 2022

United Kingdom cases

The following cases have been announced in the United Kingdom:

Keira Bell

Main page: Keira Bell

Ritchie Herron

Main page: Ritchie Herron

  • Announced plans in 2022 to sue Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust
  • Listed as a client by Slater & Gordon; appeared in media in 2023 with S&G lawyer Laura Preston

Australia cases

Jay Langadinos

  • Jay Langadinos v. Patrick Toohey
  • Case: 2022/00130732
  • Filed: May 6, 2022
  • Jurisdiction: New South Wales (NSW) Supreme Court, Sydney
  • Plaintiff attorneys: Anna Kerr, solicitor NSW Feminist Legal Clinic; Anne Shortall, Slater & Gordon
  • Background: Langadinos met with Dr. Patrick Toohey at age 19 in May 2010. Top surgery in April 2012, bottom surgery including hysterectomy in November 2012. Began having regret in November 2016 after sessions with Roberto D’Angelo; consulted about stopping hormones in January 2020.

Spain cases

Susana Domínguez / Sebastián Domínguez

  • Defendant: Servicio Gallego de Salud / SERGAS [Galician Health Service]
  • Pre-litigation claim filed: 2023
  • Background: Medical transition at around age 15 in 2014. Regret in 2020. Claim seeks 314,000 euros.

References

Hamm, Amy (March 10, 2025). Amy Hamm: Indigenous transwoman’s lawsuit exposes harms of gender-reassignment surgery. [Lois Cardinal case] National Post https://nationalpost.com/opinion/indigenous-transwomans-lawsuit-exposes-harms-of-gender-reassignment-surgery

[Singal, Jesse] (December 6, 2024). America’s best-known practitioner of youth gender medicine is being sued. The Economist https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/12/06/americas-best-known-practitioner-of-youth-gender-medicine-is-being-sued

Schwanemann, Kaitlyn (December 12, 2024). UCLA student sues California doctors, says she was ‘fast-tracked’ into transgender surgery. NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/ucla-student-sues-california-doctors-says-was-fast-tracked-transgender-rcna183815

Arnold, Tyler (December 11, 2024). Woman alleges doctors ‘fast-tracked’ her into gender transition as preteen, files lawsuit. [Clementine Breen case] Catholic News Agency https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260981/woman-alleges-doctors-fast-tracked-her-into-gender-transition-as-preteen-files-lawsuit

Riedel, Samantha (August 9, 2024). A “Detransitioner” Is Suing Planned Parenthood for Providing Gender-Affirming Care. [Cristina Hineman case] them https://www.them.us/story/planned-parenthood-lawsuit-gender-affirming-care

Block, Jennifer (August 7, 2024). How Did Planned Parenthood Become One of the Country’s Largest Suppliers of Testosterone? [Cristina Hineman case] The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/how-did-planned-parenthood-become

Kornick, Lindsay (May 16, 2024). Judge grants detransitioner’s lawsuit against doctors to proceed in court: ‘Sufficient’ allegations. [Prisha Mosley case] Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/media/judge-grants-detransitioners-lawsuit-against-doctors-continue-court

Urquhart, Evan (May 1, 2024). Detransitioner Soren Aldaco Must Pay $40,000 for Frivolous Lawsuit. Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/soren-aldaco-lawsuit-dismissed-with-prejudice

Goldstein, Julie Rei (April 23, 2024). What’s Up With Chloe Cole’s Lawsuit? Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/chloe-cole-brockman-kaiser-lawsuit-arbitration

Grossman, Lewis A. (March 19, 2024). Criminalizing Transgender Care. Iowa Law Review https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4765290

Hiltzik, Michael (March 2, 2023). A transgender patient’s lawsuit against Kaiser is a front for the conservative war on LGBTQ rights. [Chloe Brockman case] Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-03-02/transgender-patients-chloe-cole-lawsuit-against-kaiser-lgbtq-rights

Poonia, Gitanjali (September 15, 2023). Woman sues doctors who she says rushed her into gender surgery at 16. [Luka Hein case] Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/2023/9/15/23874181/gender-surgery-minors-detransition-lawsuit/

Davidoff, Judith (January 5, 2024). Firm suing UW doctors over transgender care seeks clients for similar lawsuits: Eckland & Blando created the Detransition Network to provide legal help to ‘detransitioners.’ Isthmus https://isthmus.com/news/news/firm-suing-uw-doctors-over-transgender-care-seek-clients-for/

Reilly, Wilfred (March 14, 2024). The ‘Detransition’ Time Bomb. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/03/the-detransition-time-bomb/

Schlott, Rikki (December 13, 2023). Detransitioner suing American Academy of Pediatrics: ‘I don’t want this to happen to other young girls.’ [Isabelle Ayala case] New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/12/13/news/detransitioner-suing-american-academy-of-pediatrics/

Davis, Lisa Selin / “an anonymous contributer” (December 7, 2023). Eleven Lawsuits by Detransitioners in the US. https://www.broadview.news/p/eleven-lawsuits-by-detransitioners

Hart, Dan (December 07, 2023). ‘Only the Beginning’: Lawsuits From Detransitioners Are on Rise. Daily Signal https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/12/07/only-beginning-lawsuits-detransitioners-rise/

Richardson, Valerie (December 5, 2023). Surge of detransition lawsuits pose threat to booming gender-transition business. [Kayla Lovdahl, Chloe Brockman, Prisha Mosley cases] Washington Times https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/5/surge-of-detransition-lawsuits-pose-threat-to-boom

Wahlberg, David (November 3, 2023) Woman says UW doctors performed gender-altering surgeries without proper consent. Wisconsin State Journal https://madison.com/news/local/business/health-care/woman-says-uw-doctors-performed-gender-altering-surgeries-without-proper-consent/article_ff7bd30a-79ab-11ee-82bc-8fefeb60d060.html

Matthew, Merrill (October 31, 2023). Matthews: Here come the gender-detransitioner lawsuits. The Hill https://thehill.com/opinion/4284777-matthews-here-come-the-gender-detransitioner-lawsuits/

[Singal, Jesse] (March 7, 2023). Legal action may change transgender care in America. The Economist https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/03/07/legal-action-may-change-transgender-care-in-america

Trans-supportive resources

Julie Rei Goldstein

Anti-trans resources

Transition Justice (transitionjustice.org)

Detrans Help (detranshelp.org)

  • includes list of cases by nation

Themis Resource Fund (themisresourcefund.org)

Gender Medicine Malpractice [law firm Eckland & Blando] (gendermedicalmalpractice.com)

Dhillon Law Group (dhillonlaw.com)

Law and Mediation Offices of Kelly Chang (purposedrivenlawyers.com)

Jordan Law (jordanlaw.com)

Campbell Miller Payne (cmppllc.com)

Alliance Defending Freedom (adfinternational.org)

Hostetter Law Group, LLP (hostetterlawgroup.com)

Mitra N. Forouhar (mnf-law.com)