A federal judge temporarily blocked an Arkansas law Wednesday that would’ve banned physicians in the state from providing transition-related health care — such as hormones and puberty blockers — to transgender minors.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the law in May on behalf of four trans youths and their parents, as well as two physicians who provide gender-affirming health care, arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution.
Supporters of the law argue that transition-related health care is “experimental” and that transgender minors are too young to receive the care.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas heard arguments in the case Wednesday morning, granting the ACLU’s request for a preliminary injunction against the law, which was scheduled to take effect next week.
Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas, said in a statement that the ruling “sends a clear message to states across the country that gender-affirming care is life-saving care, and we won’t let politicians in Arkansas — or anywhere else — take it away.”
“Today’s victory is a testament to the trans youth of Arkansas 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,” she said. “We won’t rest until this cruel and unconstitutional law is struck down for good.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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