An Indiana law prohibiting gender transition treatments for minors will remain in effect following a ruling Wednesday by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court’s 2-1 decision upholds the state’s authority to restrict these medical procedures without violating constitutional rights, marking a significant legal victory for supporters of the legislation.
The ruling confirms an earlier February decision by the Chicago-based appeals court, which had lifted a temporary injunction and allowed the law to be enforced. This latest judgment fully vacates the injunction, clearing the path for Indiana officials to implement the restrictions moving forward.
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Enacted in April 2023, Indiana’s law is part of a broader trend of GOP-led efforts across the country to limit gender transition treatments for minors. The statute faced immediate legal challenges, and U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon initially blocked portions of the law in June. While Hanlon allowed the ban on gender transition surgeries for minors to proceed, he paused enforcement of provisions restricting hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and consultation between Indiana doctors and out-of-state physicians for minors seeking these treatments.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita praised the court’s decision, calling it a major win for the state’s efforts to protect children. “This ruling supports our commonsense law, ensuring that dangerous and irreversible procedures are not performed on our youth,” Rokita said in a statement.
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Despite the court’s ruling, opposition remains strong. The ACLU of Indiana, which initially secured the temporary injunction, expressed disappointment, describing the decision as “heartbreaking” for affected families and healthcare providers. ACLU spokesperson Laura Forbes stated that the organization is considering further legal action and is “weighing our options” for additional appeals.
Since 2021, more than 20 states have passed laws restricting or banning gender transition treatments for minors, citing concerns about the long-term effects and risks of such procedures. However, these services have been available for over a decade and are endorsed by several major medical organizations, sparking ongoing legal and public debates nationwide.
The ruling marks another chapter in the legal battle over gender transition care, setting the stage for potential future appeals and a broader national discourse on the rights of minors and the role of state governments in regulating medical treatments.
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