Terri Bruce, who had worked for the state's Archaeological Research Center, committed suicide December 2, 2018. The family and lawyers for the 55-year-old noted in their January 14 motion to dismiss the suit that they "would like to raise awareness of the high rate of suicide among transgender individuals as well as the obstacles transgender citizens must constantly overcome to feel safe and respected within their communities."
In his 2017 suit against the state and Laurie Gill, commissioner of HR, Bruce noted that his civil rights were violated and that the state's health insurance policy "deprives transgender employees of equal treatment." That policy does not afford coverage for transgender-related treatment.
The attorney for the state, Jerry Johnson, said their agreement that the case should be dismissed does not mean that the defendants agree with the harassment allegations and with information about suicide risk for transgender people spelled out in Bruce's motion.