Final answer:
Federal court rulings on transgender rights have seen an evolution over time, with significant changes in policies related to transgender employees, inmates, students, and military personnel, reflecting a complex and shifting legal landscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal court rulings regarding transgender inmates have been a series of evolving decisions that reflect the ongoing debate about gender identity and protections under U.S. law.
In 2014, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled in Macy v. Holder that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protected transgender employees from discrimination. This viewpoint was initially supported by the Department of Justice, but their stance was reversed in 2017, and they argued that federal law does not prohibit discrimination against transgender people.
In matters relating to transgender students, the federal government stated in 2012 that such students are protected from discrimination under Title IX, and in 2013, California passed a law providing specific protections for the rights of transgender students in public schools.
However, the Justice Department and Education Department rescinded guidance in 2017 that transgender students were protected by Title IX.
Regarding transgender rights more broadly, there has been a shift over time with both advancements and setbacks. In 2015, the Obama administration lifted a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, which was later challenged and altered by the Trump administration.
The Department of Defense, by 2019, had implemented policies that effectively restricted transgender service members from enlisting or serving in the military.