A federal appeals court has ruled that Indiana’s Help Not Harm Act, which bans transgender medical interventions on minors, can go into effect.
In a brief two-page order, a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Tuesday stayed (removed) an injunction that had been placed on the law (SB 480) by a judge from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
The law prohibits physicians from providing minors with puberty blocking drugs, opposite-sex hormones and surgeries to make them appear more like the opposite sex.
The seventh circuit said a longer opinion would be issued following its decision, and a final judgement will be issued with that opinion. In the meantime, the law can take effect.
The three judges on the panel included Judge Kenneth Ripple, an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan; Judge Michael Brennan, an appointee of former President Donald J. Trump; and Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, an appointee of President Joe Biden.
Many mainstream media outlets reported about the appeals court’s decision using misleading language. For example, The Hill said the bill enforces a “ban on care for transgender youth.” It called SB 480 a “health care ban” which “bans health care providers from administering gender-affirming medical care.”
But the SB 480 does no such thing. In reality, the law prohibits physicians from providing harmful drugs and surgeries to young children which result in irreversible sterilization and mutilation. The law protects children. It doesn’t prevent them from accessing appropriate healthcare.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita lauded the ruling in a statement on Tuesday.
“Our commonsense state law, banning dangerous and irreversible gender-transition procedures for minors, is now enforceable following the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal’s newest order,” the attorney general said.
“We are proud to win this fight against the radicals who continue pushing this horrific practice on our children for ideological and financial reasons.”
The case is K.C. v. Medical Licensing Board of Indiana.
Focus on the Family exists to help families, and that includes help navigating the issues of homosexuality and transgenderism. Focus offers a free, one-time counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. To request a counseling consultation, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) or fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.
Related articles and resources:
Counseling Consultation & Referrals
Addressing Gender Identity with Honesty and Compassion
The Journey Back to My True Identity
Transgenderism and Minors: What Does the Research Really Show?
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