1/ Transgender pro se litigant politely requests a federal court of appeals to refer to her with female pronouns. Judge Duncan, joined by Judge Smith, string-cites numerous cases in which courts have done just that upon request, "as a courtesy to parties," but then proceeds ...
2/... to refer to her w/male pronouns at least 22 times in a ten-page opinion. Duncan & Smith offer no reason for such heartless, inconsiderate behavior. Let's just say that they lack ... courtesy (at best). Shameful to see in Art. III.
#appellatetwitter
ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/1…
#appellatetwitter
ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/1…
FWIW (a lot, I think), I'm aware of several lawyers who advocate against LGBTQ rights based upon their sincere religious beliefs but who've nonetheless made an effort to avoid the use of such pronouns as a matter of courtesy and kindness. Would that these judges did likewise.
