Federal judge blocks Georgia’s ban on hormone treatment for minors.

Federal Judge Temporarily ‌Blocks Georgia Law Banning Sex-Change Procedures ⁣on Minors

A federal judge in Georgia has issued a temporary block on part of a new state law that prohibits medical providers from performing most sex-change procedures on‌ minors. The legislation‌ went into effect last month.

Preliminary‌ Injunction Granted

U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Geraghty, appointed by President ‌Joe Biden, granted ⁤a preliminary injunction on Senate Bill ⁤140. This‍ bill bans gender transition surgery and hormone therapy⁢ for individuals under 18.

Protecting Minors’ Rights

Judge Geraghty blocked part of the ‌state law that prohibits hormone replacement therapy, ⁢siding with four anonymous children and their parents who‍ argued that the ‌law “is substantially likely to violate the ⁣Equal Protection Clause.” In an 83-page opinion, Geraghty emphasized the ⁣potential risks of irreparable harm to the plaintiffs, including depression, anxiety, disordered eating,​ self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

Substantial Likelihood of Success

Judge ‌Geraghty acknowledged that the plaintiffs⁢ demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on their equal protection claim, highlighting the ⁣minors’ risk of “irreparable harm.” The ruling emphasized that without⁢ an injunction, these young plaintiffs would be unable⁤ to ⁢access necessary treatment recommended by their healthcare providers.

Controversial⁣ Decision

This decision contrasts with the concerns raised by many medical journals regarding the dangers of such treatments for minors. These journals provide little evidence of benefits, as highlighted in a recent hearing in the House Subcommittee on⁢ Health.

Georgia’s Law ⁢and Response

Earlier this year, Georgia Republican Gov. Brian ‌Kemp ⁢signed the law, which includes provisions protecting minors ‍from receiving hormone replacement therapies and sex reassignment surgeries. Cole Muzio, president of the conservative Christian group ⁣Frontline Policy⁢ Action, praised the law ⁢but described it as “one of ⁣the weakest in the country.”

“Gov. Kemp has never been afraid to ⁣protect children, and we appreciate his continued commitment to standing against radical and harmful agendas,” Muzio said in a statement.

Challenging the Ban

However, just ‌days before the law took ​effect on July ⁣1, the Southern ⁢Poverty Law Center filed a federal lawsuit against the state on behalf of several children, parents, and a community organization. They argue that the law “strips parents of their rights to make critical decisions ⁣about ⁤their child’s health care.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center stated, “The situation creates an‌ impossible choice for parents, who either must flee the state to ensure their child has access to medically necessary ‌care or discontinue puberty blockers​ and watch their child ⁤suffer untreated gender dysphoria ​for years.”

Legal Battles Across the U.S.

More than 20 states have passed laws protecting minors from sex-change procedures, but these laws have faced challenges from groups claiming violations of the 14th‌ Amendment. While some laws have⁣ been ⁣put on hold, others have survived court challenges, such as in Tennessee where the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled against a preliminary injunction ⁢blocking the state’s⁢ law.

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