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The lawsuit claims that by exclusively providing coverage for in vitro fertilization to women and heterosexual couples, the city's actions hinder gay male employees from starting families.
A lawsuit was brought against New York City on Thursday, alleging discrimination against gay male city employees.
The city's healthcare plan has long provided in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefits to male and female employees and their partners in different-sex relationships, as well as single women and women in same-sex relationships.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, claims the city is hindering gay male employees from starting families.
The proposed class action lawsuit was filed by former assistant district attorney Corey Briskin and his husband.
The couple contends that the city's employee health insurance plan denied them coverage for IVF procedures, resulting in years of delay in their family planning journey.
"We were disheartened to say the least when we were told that we aren't eligible for the IVF benefit because of the way the policy is phrased," Briskin told The Washington Post. "We are entitled to equal treatment under the law."
A spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Adams told the paper the lawsuit was being reviewed.
The suit comes as the New York City Council is considering a bill introduced that would require coverage of IVF treatments for all employees, regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation.
