Judge Indicates He Will Dismiss Richard Simmons' Transgender Defamation Lawsuit

On Wednesday, August 30, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge revealed that he plans to dismiss Richard Simmons' transgender defamation case against the National ENQUIRER.

Back in May, the fitness guru filed suit against the publication over a story in which they reported that he was transitioning into a woman, which Simmons claimed was not true and defamed his name.

However, defense attorney Kelli Sager denied this notion, asserting, “There is nothing inherently bad about being transgender.”

Judge Gregory Keosian agreed writing in his preliminary opinion that the label does not, in itself, expose a person to “hatred, contempt, ridicule or obloquy.”

Further, Keosian stated, “While, as a practical matter, the characteristic may be held in contempt by a portion of the population, the court will not validate those prejudices by legally recognizing them.”