Families challenging Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth have withdrawn their legal protest, a move that was greeted positively by the state attorney general.
A court filing on Thursday formally ended the federal lawsuit initially brought in 2022. According to Alabama law, providing puberty blockers or hormonal treatments to individuals under the age of 19 for the purpose of gender transition is classified as a felony, carrying a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.
The lawsuit previously resulted in a court injunction that paused the enforcement of this law until an appeal court’s decision in 2024 allowed it to be implemented. The legal teams for the plaintiffs, which include organizations such as GLAD Law, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, did not specify why the lawsuit was discontinued. However, they acknowledged the difficult decisions Alabama families have been forced to make since the law came into effect.
“The cessation of medical care in Alabama has compelled our plaintiffs and other families in the state to make heartbreaking decisions that no family should have to endure, and each family is making the choices that are right for them,” the organizations stated.
They further commented that numerous changes have occurred since the lawsuit was launched three years ago, noting that the current climate is particularly challenging for transgender youth and their families. In 2022, Alabama became the second state to restrict gender-affirming care for minors. Currently, 26 states have followed suit with various restrictions or bans in place.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall hailed the closure of this case as a triumph for the state and its families. “This marks a monumental victory for children, families, and the concept of reality itself. Alabama stood firm against intimidation. The rest of the nation is now witnessing the truth. We are proud to lead this charge,” remarked Marshall.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to make a decision in the early summer on the legal standing of Tennessee’s similar ban on gender-affirming care for minors.