News & Commentary

The ACLU of Kansas has sued to block SB 244, though a district court judge denied a temporary restraining order and the case is not set for another court date until late September. By then, Kansas’ Aug. 4 primary will have passed, and Kansas elections officials will have already printed ballots for November, with actual voting soon to get underway. It’s not clear that any good voting options will exist for those targeted by SB 244.

“Transgender Kansans should have protection and dignity in our state instead of persecution,” said ACLU of Kansas Executive Director Micah Kubic in a January press release.

The ACLU posits that it becomes difficult to maintain educational or professional status due to the possibility of complaints, which will make employers and schools wary of keeping transgender people around.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas has condemned the bill and is currently representing individuals in lawsuits opposing the law.

Two trans men from Lawrence filed a lawsuit challenging the law and are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union. But Douglas County District Judge James McCabria declined to halt enforcement of the law, saying he believes Kansans to be tolerant and supportive of each other.

Two transgender men using the pseudonyms Daniel Doe and Matthew Moe filed a lawsuit saying SB 244 violates the Kansas Constitution’s protections for personal autonomy, privacy, equality under the law, due process and freedom of speech, according to a news release from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.

Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union , argue it violates due process by depriving transgender individuals of driving privileges—essential for daily life, employment, and safety—without a hearing. On February 27, 2026, the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two transgender plaintiffs, seeking to block enforcement and alleging "irreparable harm."

Of course, the ACLU filed a lawsuit immediately upon the passage. There was a hearing regarding a temporary restraining order while the bill is going through the litigation process.

Harper Seldin, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) representing the plaintiffs said that Kansas was singling out trans residents “for unique social stigma”.