State of South Dakota Apologizes, settles Lawsuit

Here’s what Susan Williams, Exec. Director, The Transformation Project has to say in response to the settling of this lawsuit filed against the state of South Dakota for discrimination.

Susan Williams (she/her)
Executive Director

“We are vindicated as the government has acknowledged what we knew the very day we learned of our contracts cancellation: that we did not break any procedures and we did not fail to meet the terms of the CHW contract in any way. So when our organization became a target of discrimination, we knew that we had to fight back, not just on behalf of our Community Health Worker, but on behalf of the entire population of transgender people across South Dakota. This settlement sends some clear and strong messages:

the discrimination against transgender people will not be tolerated in South Dakota and that when the government discriminates against transgender people, there are consequences.

We hope that this is a message that reverberates across our state. Our commitment remains unwavering. We will stand side by side with transgender South Dakotans, battling against all forms of discrimination. We're eager to continue our meaningful work, ensuring that transgender individuals in our communities have access to the resources they deserve.”

Here is Community Health Worker, Jack Fonder’s response.

Jack Fonder (he/him)
Community Health Worker

"For the transgender community in South Dakota, this is an exciting time in history. I assumed the role of CHW with the intention of providing trans people in our community with the resources they require to succeed in this state, little realizing that doing so would result in my own outing as a trans man for standing up for what is right. We promise to keep up the battle for transgender rights and to make sure they have assess to the resources they require. We see you, we care about you, and we will always be here." - Jack Fonder, CHW/ Project Coordinator.