Khaberni - Dominican nuns in Hawthorne, New York have filed a lawsuit against the state, objecting to a law enacted in 2024 concerning the care of gays and transgender individuals.
The law mandates care homes to affirm the gender identity of patients, including pronouns, room assignments, and bathroom use.
The nuns, who manage "Rosary Hill Home" for the care of the poor with cancer, asserted that this law conflicts with their Catholic faith, especially as it might force them to house biological men with women based on declared gender identity.
The facility had requested an exemption from the law but has not received a response, despite other religious institutions being granted exemptions. This comes amid threats of penalties, including fines, the withdrawal of licenses, and even imprisonment.
The nuns believe that the law violates their constitutional rights, contending that adopting gender concepts contradicts their religious beliefs. Meanwhile, the New York Department of Health affirms its commitment to enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination, including on the basis of gender identity.
