State denies politics played role in canceling contract with transgender advocacy group

Gov. Kristi Noem had been criticized in the past by conservatives

The state of South Dakota is denying that it canceled a contract with a community health organization that works with the transgender community because of political damage to Gov. Kristi Noem.

In its response to the lawsuit filed by The Transformation Project, the state demands a jury trial and denies that the Sioux Falls nonprofit is a member of a protected class under federal law.

“Defendants specifically deny that the agreement was terminated without cause, in violation of state or federal law, or for reasons that were a pretext for discrimination,” says the state’s answer to Transformation Project’s complaint.

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