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