Jesse Vroegh (rhymes with "flew") is suing the state of Iowa, Wellmark insurance, and his former boss alleging the state and Wellmark denied him basic rights because he's transgender.
The ACLU of Iowa Monday filed a lawsuit in Polk County District Court which charges that Vroegh was denied access to the mens' restroom and the mens' locker room at the Iowa Womens Correctional Facility where he worked as a nurse simply because he was transgender.
In addition, the lawsuit charges that Wellmark and the state violated state law and the state constitution by specifically denying certain medical procedures and benefits connected with transgender transformation and treatment that are allowed for non-transgender insurance holders.
Vroegh had filed a complaint on the matter with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. While the commission hasn't formally ruled on the complaint, they did issue Vroegh a "right to sue letter" allowing the lawsuit to go forward.
Rita Bettis, ACLU of Iowa Legal Director, says her organization is assisting Vroegh with the case. She says it's the first transgender rights case in the state of Iowa since state law was changed in 2007.
Here's the lawsuit as it was filed in Polk County District Court...