Federal Judge Halts Indiana's Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

A federal judge has blocked Indiana's ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors from taking effect as scheduled on July 1. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana challenged the Republican-backed law, arguing that it violated the U.S. Constitution's equal protection guarantees and trampled upon the rights of parents to decide medical treatment for their children. The judge's order allows the law's prohibition on gender-affirming surgeries to take effect but blocks provisions that would prohibit Indiana doctors from communicating with out-of-state doctors about gender-affirming care for their patients younger than 18.