In a victory for trans rights and human decency, a federal judge has recently slammed the brakes on Kentucky’s attempt to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. The American Civil Liberties Union, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius all banded together to challenge this egregious law, securing a critical win for the LGBTQ+ community.
United States District Court Judge David Hale stepped up on Wednesday, siding with the ACLU of Kentucky and issuing a temporary injunction. This legal maneuver effectively stalls the ban, ensuring that puberty blockers and hormone therapy remain accessible to under-18s in Kentucky while the larger lawsuit unfolds.
According to the ACLU, the legislation banning essential medical care isn’t grounded in science or best practice. Instead, it stems from politically motivated groups fundamentally opposed to transgender individuals living openly and authentically. Judge Hale was clearly in alignment with the ACLU on this matter.
Judge Hale’s verdict was a resounding affirmation of transgender youth’s rights: “The treatments barred by SB 150 are medically appropriate and necessary for some transgender children under the evidence-based standard of care accepted by all major medical organizations in the United States.”
Judge Hale also pushed back against the scare tactics of right-wing factions, stating that the medications they’ve villainized actually “have a long history of safe use in minors for various conditions.” He further clarified that puberty blockers and hormones are not given to prepubescent children with gender dysphoria, debunking another common misconception.
Notably, this isn’t the first time that justice has ruled in favor of trans rights. Law Dork’s Chris Geidner pointed out that Hale’s decision follows similar rulings this month in Indiana and Florida, as well as post-trial rulings in Arkansas and Florida (specifically addressing Medicaid-related restrictions). A previous order in Alabama also halted enforcement of that state’s ban, and even Oklahoma’s attorney general has agreed not to enforce his state’s ban while preliminary injunction litigation is ongoing.
This legal victory marks a significant step forward in the fight for transgender rights and equality. As we keep an eye on the ongoing lawsuit, let’s continue advocating for the rights of all transgender individuals to access the healthcare they need and deserve.
