The District of Columbia agreed Thursday to pay $1.75 million dollars to the mother of a transvestite who died after city firefighters and doctors failed to provide adequate medical care due to gender discrimination. The settlement ends a case that began in 1995 when Tyrone “Tyra” Hunter was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. In 1998, an 8-person jury found that DC firefighters stood by and laughed instead of administering lifesaving treatment. The jury also found one DC General Hospital doctor negligent for failing to drain fluid around Hunter’s heart, and refusing to prescribe needed blood transfusions. Mayor Anthony Williams issued a statement condemning discrimination based on race, gender or sexual orientation. The DC Fire Department has initiated a diversity and sensitivity training named for Tyrone Hunter. Despite the settlement and public condemnation of the acts, both the firefighter and doctor named in the case continue to work and be promoted as city employees.
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