Transgender settlement brings new policies to Philadelphia’s Youth Study Center

A settlement between the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services’ Youth Study Center and an 18-year-old transgender woman will bring new policies to the YSC, according to a statement from Lambda Legal, which filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations in the woman’s behalf.

In 2008, DHS was ordered to provide the then-teenager, identified as L.P., with appropriate medical treatment for Gender Identity Disorder, and respect the girl’s identification with the female gender. Instead, the complaint said, the girl was denied access to female clothing and grooming options while at the YSC, and was taunted and reprimanded for acting like a female.

The settlement reached today will revise YSC’s non-discriminatory LGBT policies, provide better rooming opportunities for transgender residents and treat those residents as the gender they identify with. DHS will also provide training to YSC staffers on respectful practices.