A federal judge has blocked an Arkansas law which protects minors from experimental hormones and harmful procedures used to “treat” gender dysphoria.
In April, the Arkansas State Legislature passed the “Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act” into law after overriding Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s veto of the legislation.
The law protects gender-confused minors from puberty blockers, opposite-sex hormones and so-called “gender-reassignment surgeries.”
“The prescribing of puberty-blocking drugs is being done despite the lack of any long-term longitudinal studies evaluating the risks and benefits of using these drugs for the treatment of such distress or gender transition,” the SAFE Act states.
“Healthcare providers are also prescribing cross-sex hormones … despite the fact that no randomized clinical trials have been conducted on the efficacy or safety of the use of cross-sex hormones in adults or children for the purpose of treating such distress or gender transition,” it adds.
Additionally, the law notes, “Genital gender reassignment surgery includes several irreversible invasive procedures for males and females and involves the alteration of biologically healthy and functional body parts.”
Therefore, the legislature outlawed puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and so-called “gender-reassignment surgeries” from being performed on minors.
In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the law, arguing that the law “denies adolescents medically necessary treatment and prevents parents from obtaining medically necessary care for their children.”
Of course, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and “gender-reassignment surgeries” are not “medically necessary.”
As the Christian Medical and Dental Association notes, “Sex reassignment operations are physically harmful because they disregard normal human anatomy and function. Normal anatomy is not a disease; dissatisfaction with natural anatomical and genetic sexual makeup is not a condition that can be successfully remedied medically or surgically.”
Now, U.S. District Judge Jay Moody has ruled against the state of Arkansas.
“To pull this care midstream from these patients, or minors, would cause irreparable harm,” Judge Moody said in his opinion.
In a statement about the ruling, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said, “Our legislature made the reasonable decision to protect minors from dangerous and life-altering drugs, hormones, and surgeries. Against the will of Arkansans, liberal activists have now put those children back in harm’s way.”
Young children who are confused about their gender should receive the care and counseling they need. But subjecting children to experimental treatments, which inhibit the natural development of their bodies, is not proper care nor treatment.
If you or a loved one need counseling, Focus on the Family provides free, one-time counseling consultations with a licensed or pastoral counselor. If you would like to request one, you can call 1-855-771-HELP or fill out a Counseling Consultation Request Form here.
The case is Dylan Brandt v. Leslie Rutledge
Related articles:
ACLU Sues Arkansas Over Law Protecting Gender-Confused Children
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