A federal judge has rendered a decision in favor of Oklahoma’s prohibition on gender-affirming medical care for minors, as reported by Law Dork.
In May, Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican from Oklahoma, signed a bill into law that prohibited gender-affirming medical care for individuals under the age of 18.
Subsequently, just days after the bill’s signing, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond halted the law’s enforcement.
This came in response to a lawsuit filed by five minors and their families, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, arguing that the ban on gender-affirming care violated their equal protections under the law, as reported by KOSU.
Late on Thursday night, U.S. District Judge John Heil III issued his ruling on the matter.
“Because Plaintiffs have failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits of each of their constitutional claims, their request for injunctive relief must be denied,” Heil wrote in his decision.
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction (Dkt. No. 5) is DENIED.” Heil added.
Oklahoma is among 22 states that have passed laws either banning or restricting gender-affirming care for minors, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening across our nation, and as governor I am proud to stand up for what’s right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma,” Stitt said on the day he signed the bill into law.
In other states like Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Indiana, federal judges have blocked the enforcement of such laws.
“We expect all state officials to abide by this agreement while our motion is pending and stand ready to hold the state accountable and defend the rights of all trans Oklahomans, should any enforcement of SB 613 occur,” the ACLU, Lambda Legal and the Jenner & Block law firm said in an official statement upon filing a motion for injunction in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma’s law prohibits the use of medications or surgical procedures for gender transition purposes and prescribes penalties, including felony charges, license revocation, and the right for a parent or guardian to file civil actions.
