MACON, Ga. — Benjamin Johnson has been transitioning for about six years, and he said it hasn't been a walk in the park.
"It's been hard living in areas where you're not really accepted and being comfortable, and feeling safe," Johnson said.
That's why he moved to Macon. He said he found it more welcoming than other cities. In 2020, Johnson started a job in the city working as a media clerk at McKibben Lane Elementary School.
"I felt very comfortable in Macon because they have such a large community, LGBTQ community here," Johnson said.
But after he started his job, he realized his community, those seeking gender-affirming care, weren't covered under the State Health Benefit Plan.
"I was panicking because I know you know, you can go through the appeal process with insurance and stuff, and sometimes get that taken care of. But I just felt like my heart sank," Johnson said.
Last December, Johnson and two state employees filed a class action lawsuit against the state, citing discrimination.
On Thursday, the case was settled, and the state agreed to pay for gender-affirming health care for state employees, public school teachers, and former employees covered by a state health insurance plan.
As part of the settlement, the state agreed to pay $365,000 to the plaintiffs and their lawyers.
"Future transgender Georgians can now access the health care that they need and that's what they've been longing for," Johnson said.
While Johnson is glad the state recognized his right to medical care, he said it wasn't asking for much in the first place.
"We're all Americans; we're all human beings. We all deserve the equal access to health care and everything. I mean, I'm no different from you or anybody else in this town or state," Johnson said.
The Department of Community Health, which oversees the insurance plan, is closed on Saturday so 13 WMAZ could not reach them for comment. We'll check in with them on Monday.