Alabama Transgender Bill Challenged

A suit was filed in federal court after Alabama Governor Ivey signed Anti-Transgender Bill SB 184. The plaintiffs are represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian Rights & the Human Rights Campaign with King & Spalding LLP & Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC. The hateful bill punishes parents for making important decisions about their children’s healthcare & doctors for providing or even suggesting well-established medically necessary care with punishment up to 10 years in prison. Dr. Morissa Ladinsky stated, “By signing SB 184 Governor Ivey has told kind, loving & loyal Alabama families that they cannot stay here without denying their children the basic medical care they need. She has undermined the health & well-being of Alabama children & put doctors like me in the horrifying position of choosing between ignoring the medical needs of our patients or risking being sent to prison.” The Alabama family plaintiffs include Robert Roe & his 13-year-old transgender daughter Mary of Jefferson County & remaining anonymously Jane Doe & her 17-year-old-transgender son John of Shelby County. These families have deep ties to Alabama & if SB 184 is allowed to go into effect both families will be forced to choose between leaving the state, breaking the law or facing devastating consequences to their children’s health. Asaf Orr NCLR Senior Staff Attorney & Transgender Youth Project Director concluded, “A state cannot criminalize parents & doctors for following medical guidelines & providing needed medical treatments. This is an unconstitutional bill that will cause enormous stress & harm to families. A federal court immediately stopped enforcement of a similar law in Arkansas last year & we aim to obtain the same result here.” For More Info…