INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana bill banning gender-affirming care for minors that was originally passed in 2023 can now go into effect immediately, a court ruled Tuesday.
The US Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay on Tuesday that lifted an injunction from a lower court. The injunction, which was granted in June 2023, blocked a passed bill that banned gender-affirming care for Hoosiers under the age of 18.
Senate Bill 480, which was passed during Indiana’s 2023 legislative session, was signed into law over 10 months ago by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. The signing was one day after the Governor referred to the bill as being “clear as mud” and was met with heavy criticism from opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU of Indiana responded by filing a lawsuit asking for a preliminary injunction on behalf of four transgender patients and an Indiana doctor who provides transgender medical care. The injunction was granted on June 16, 2023, and the ban on gender-affirming care for minors was partially blocked.
Now, that block has been lifted. The law, which was originally set to take effect on July 1, 2023, will now take effect immediately.
As of Tuesday, Feb. 27, Indiana law prohibits medical providers from providing gender-affirming health care to any state resident under the age of 18. Included in the definition of gender-affirming care is:
- Gender-transitioning surgeries
- Hormone treatments
- Puberty blockers
Also made illegal by SB 480 is knowingly “aiding or abetting another physician or practitioner in the provision of gender transition procedures to a minor.” For more on the bill, click here.
In response to the court’s actions, the ACLU and ACLU of Indiana released a joint statement on Tuesday:
“This ruling is beyond disappointing and a heartbreaking development for thousands of transgender youth, their doctors, and their families. As we and our clients consider our next steps, we want all the transgender youth of Indiana to know this fight is far from over and we will continue to challenge this law until it is permanently defeated and Indiana is made a safer place to raise every family.”
– The ACLU and ACLU of Indiana
To read the court documents filed for the decision Tuesday, click here.
