Court Blocks Arizona Trans Student Ban

The Ninth Circuit unanimously affirmed a trial court decision blocking enforcement of Arizona’s law that bans transgender girls in public schools from playing on any girls’ teams. The case was brought by 2 transgender girls receiving medical treatment for gender dysphoria the medical term for the distress experienced when a persons’ innate sense of their gender does not match their birth sex. The trial court considered extensive expert testimony from medical experts who explained that the plaintiffs in this case do not have any athletic advantage over other girls & ruled that Arizona’s law sweeps far too broadly. Helen Doe, Mother of Plaintiff Jane Doe stated, “Today’s ruling from the 9th Circuit is a relief for our family. With this ruling, our daughter can continue to play with her friends, make new friends & experience all the benefits that school sports have to offer.” Kate Roe, Mother of Plaintiff Megan Roe added, “Megan is over the moon & immensely relieved to learn of the court’s decision allowing her to play the sport she loves on the team that has always welcomed her as one of their own. Having watched her blossom across the last season as both an athlete & a young woman, her dad & I are deeply thankful to the whole legal team that has fought so hard for her basic right to play ball on the team where she so clearly belongs.” Rachel Berg, Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights concluded, “We are pleased with the Ninth Circuit’s ruling today, which held that the Arizona law likely violates the Equal Protection Clause & recognizes that a student’s transgender status is not an accurate proxy for athletic ability & competitive advantage”.

For More Info…