Doe v. United Services Life Insurance Company
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
123 F.R.D. 437 (S.D.N.Y 1988)
Relevant factsFree
Doe (plaintiff), a federal judge's law clerk, sued United Services Life Insurance Company (defendant) for allegedly trying to charge him a higher insurance rate based on suspected homosexuality, and for related discrimination. Doe filed under the pseudonym "John Doe" and moved for leave to continue anonymously; United Services moved to dismiss for failure to identify the plaintiff as required by Rule 10(a).
IssueFree
Whether a court should allow a party to sue under a pseudonym where the party risks being subject to negative social stereotypes and stigma if identified.