Arkansas banned gender-affirming care for transgender minors blocked by judge.

A federal judge has ruled that Arkansas' ban on gender-affirming care for children is unconstitutional, permanently blocking the law that would have prohibited doctors from providing gender-affirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers, or surgery to anyone under 18. The judge ruled that the prohibition violated the due process and equal protection rights of transgender youth and families, and the First Amendment rights of medical providers. The ruling affects only the Arkansas ban but may discourage attempts to enact similar prohibitions in other states. At least 19 other states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors following Arkansas' law.