A federal judge has blocked some parts of a new law in Indiana banning puberty blockers and sex-change sugeries for minors, which was scheduled to go into effect on July 1st.
via The Associated Press:
INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge issued an order Friday stopping an Indiana ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors from taking effect as scheduled July 1.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sought the temporary injunction in its legal challenge of the Republican-backed law, which was enacted this spring….
The AP writes that while the order from U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon “blocks provisions that would prohibit Indiana doctors from communicating with out-of-state doctors about” prescribing puberty blocking drugs and hormones, and scheduling sex-change surgeries for minors, it retains the part of the law that bans those surguries.
Part of the ACLU’s argument is that the implementation of the law would violate the constitutional rights of the children’s parents:
The ACLU filed the lawsuit within hours after Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill April 5. The challenge, on behalf of four youths undergoing transgender treatments and an Indiana doctor who provides such care, argued the ban would violate the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection guarantees and trampled upon the rights of parents to decide medical treatment for their children.
CNN did not receive comment from Gov. Holcolm’s office, it reported.
Judge Hanlon wrote in his 34-page opinion:
Because Plaintiffs have some likelihood of success on the merits of constitutional claims, a preliminary injunction is in the public interest. While the State has a strong interest in enforcing democratically enacted laws, that interest decreases as Plaintiffs’ likelihood of success on the merits of their constitutional claims increases.
And for the reasons above, Plaintiffs risk suffering irreparable harm absent an injunction.
Kevin Falk, the legal director for the ACLU of Indiana, responded to the ruling in a statement:
Today’s victory is a testament to the trans youth of Indiana, their families, and their allies, who never gave up the fight to protect access to gender- affirming care and who will continue to defend the right of all trans people to be their authentic selves, free from discrimination.
We won’t rest until this unconstitutional law is struck down for good.
Here are more details on the Hoosier state law:
The law, known as SEA 480, which Indiana’s Republican-controlled legislature passed earlier this year, prohibits physicians from providing minors with treatments such as puberty blocking medication, hormone therapy and surgery intended to help transition genders.
As this is a developing story, RedState will provide more details as they emerge.