Bruce "was experienced at meeting such biases head on" by taking action when he encountered discrimination in school, at the Legislature and with the state health-care policy, the motion says.

The lawyers also shared statistics and research about discrimination against trans people and suicide rates in the community. Of the more than 1.4 million trans people in the United States, the motion says, 41 percent have attempted suicide at least once, a rate 25 times higher than the general population.

"Statistics such as these serve as a stark reminder of the life and death consequences of laws and policies which demean the transgender community and seek to deprive them of basic dignity and respect. While this lawsuit is now coming to an end, these important issues will survive this case," the lawyers wrote.

Jerry Johnson, the lawyer representing South Dakota, and Gill responded on Jan. 15 that it agrees the lawsuit should be dismissed.

But he clarified that agreeing with the dismissal doesn't mean his clients agree with what Bruce's lawyers wrote about Bruce and the harassment and suicide risk of trans people.

"On the other hand, defendants’ agreement that this case should be dismissed as a result of the death of Terri Bruce should not be taken as any agreement by defendants regarding the statements in the motion which are not necessary to support the dismissal of this case," Johnson wrote.

— Contact Arielle Zionts at arielle.zionts@rapidcityjournal.com.

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