Gay Man Sues Domestic Violence Program for Discrimination

After being denied access to facial reconstructive surgery by the R.O.S.E. Fund, a free service routinely afforded to female victims of domestic violence, a gay male victim of domestic violence (whose name is being withheld to protect his privacy) filed suit with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). The complainant is not seeking monetary damages, only that he be provided the requested facial reconstructive surgery and that the R.O.S.E. Fund change its policy and stop discriminating in the provision of services on the basis of an applicant’s sex. On July 10, 2012, MCAD issued a finding of Probable Cause against the R.O.S.E. Fund. The case moves to Conciliation in January 2013.