KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of Kansas on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging the state over a recent law that was passed – blocking gender-affirming care for minors.
The lawsuit was filed in Douglas County on behalf of two transgender adolescents and their parents, who say the new law violates the Kansas Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and fundamental rights.
Missouri Supreme Court temporarily reinstates abortion ban
In February, Kansas became the 27th state to ban or restrict such care when GOP lawmakers reversed Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto after President Donald Trump issued an order barring federal support for gender-affirming care for youth under 19.
Up Next - Appeals court allows President Trump to continue collecting tariffs
-00:06
Gov. Kelly vetoed the bill on Feb. 11, saying it’s inappropriate for politicians to infringe on parental rights. One week later, on Feb. 18, the veto was reversed.
The ACLU lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 16-year-old and his mother, as well as a 13-year-old and her mother.
“Our clients and every Kansan should have the freedom to make their own private medical decisions and consult with their doctors without the intrusion of Kansas politicians,” said D.C. Hiegert, Civil Liberties Legal Fellow for the ACLU of Kansas.
Supporters of such bans argue that they protect vulnerable children from what they see as “radical” ideology about gender – and from making irreversible medical decisions too young.
Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV
The Kansas law prohibits puberty blockers, hormone therapies and/or surgery for minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria who are trying to transition away from the gender assigned to them at birth. State employees caring for children are not allowed to provide or encourage such treatment—nor are they allowed to encourage “social transitioning.”
The law allows these same treatments to be provided to cisgender youth for any other reason.
Kansas news: Headlines from Wichita, Topeka and around the Sunflower State
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach released a statement in response to the lawsuit: