A pau, France, gynecologist has been given a 1,000-euro suspended fine after refusing to examine a transgender woman, a ruling delivered on December 4, 2025. The case centers on the physician’s assertion that he adheres to a “biological definition of womanhood,” leading him to decline care for the patient.
The verdict arrives amid ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding transgender healthcare access and non-discrimination policies in France. The ruling could set a precedent for similar cases, impacting healthcare providers and transgender individuals nationwide. The patient, whose identity has not been publicly released, sought gynecological care but was turned away by the doctor.
According to court documents, the gynecologist stated, “I adhere to the biological definition of a woman,” as justification for declining the examination.The prosecutor argued this constituted discrimination based on gender identity, violating French law. The court agreed, finding the refusal unlawful.
The suspended fine means the doctor will not have to pay unless he commits a similar offense within a specified period. The ruling is subject to appeal. Legal experts anticipate further scrutiny of the boundaries between medical conscience and non-discrimination in healthcare.
