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Indiana’s Law on Gender Transition Medications for Minors Upheld by Appeals Court
A recent ruling from a U.S. appeals court has confirmed an Indiana statute that prohibits minors from accessing medications intended for gender transition.
On Wednesday, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a decisive 2-1 verdict, reinforcing a ban that had previously been blocked by a lower court. Opponents of the law argue that it violates parental rights and discriminates based on sex by restricting treatments according to gender identity.
Circuit Judge Michael Brennan articulated in the majority opinion, “States have historically maintained significant authority to regulate medical practices, particularly when there is uncertainty regarding the safety and efficacy of such treatments.” He further dismissed claims of sex discrimination associated with the ban, emphasizing that it applies uniformly to all minors regardless of whether they are boys or girls.
This ruling effectively reverses an earlier decision made by a lower court which had temporarily halted the enforcement of this new prohibition on transgender medical interventions.
Following this landmark decision, Indiana’s Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita expressed his approval on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The Seventh District Court’s ruling is a significant victory for Hoosiers and will safeguard our most cherished asset — our children.” He added that maintaining this state law prevents potentially harmful and irreversible gender-transition procedures for minors in Indiana.
Contextual Background
The affirmation of Indiana’s legislation concerning puberty blockers and hormones comes just ahead of an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court hearing regarding similar regulations in Tennessee.
Status Across States
As it stands today, at least 26 states have either banned or imposed restrictions on the use of puberty blockers and hormones for treating minors experiencing gender dysphoria.
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