Federal Judge Halts Trial on Alabama Medical Care Ban: A federal judge overseeing a trial on Alabama’s ban on medical gender-affirming care for transgender minors has halted proceedings. U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke issued a stay following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to take up a similar case involving Tennessee’s ban. Attorneys for transgender youth and the U.S. Department of Justice requested the stay, anticipating potential changes in legal standards pending the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Arguments and Positions
Alabama Attorney General’s office opposes the stay and supports proceeding with summary judgment, aiming to align with Tennessee’s case at the Supreme Court.
Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights expressed optimism, citing the precedent set by the Bostock vs. Clayton County decision regarding sex discrimination.
The plaintiffs argue that the ban forces families to seek essential medical care for their children out of state, resulting in financial and logistical burdens.
Legislative Background and Judicial Actions
- Alabama’s 2022 law criminalizes prescribing puberty blockers or hormones to transgender youth under 19 and prohibits genital surgeries for minors.
- Legal challenges began shortly after Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill, with initial court rulings conflicting over parental rights and medical necessity.
- Judge Burke previously blocked the medication ban, citing interference with parental decisions, but a higher court overturned the decision, emphasizing no inherent right to gender-affirming
News in Brief
A federal judge overseeing Alabama’s trial concerning a ban on medical gender-affirming care for transgender minors has paused proceedings. U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke issued a stay following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to review a similar case involving Tennessee. Attorneys for transgender youth and the U.S. Department of Justice requested the stay, anticipating potential legal standard changes pending the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Alabama’s Attorney General opposes the stay, advocating for summary judgment alignment with Tennessee’s case. Shannon Minter from the National Center for Lesbian Rights is optimistic, referencing the Bostock vs. Clayton County decision on sex discrimination. Plaintiffs argue the ban forces families to seek care out of state, causing financial and logistical burdens. Alabama’s 2022 law prohibits prescribing puberty blockers or hormones to transgender youth under 19 and bans genital surgeries for minors. Legal challenges began after Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill, with conflicting court rulings over parental rights and medical necessity.
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