Lambda Legal, a civil rights defense organization that focuses on LGBTQ rights is suing the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners on behalf of five families in the state. Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan said the state’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors is unconstitutional…
“The state simply does not have the power to go into people’s living rooms and doctor’s offices and tell them that they cannot access medical care because of who they are,” said Gonzalez-Pagan.
The law, that went into in Louisiana on January 1st, Gonzalez-Pagan said sets a precedent that could reach far beyond the transgender community.
“It has driven providers to leave the state and that will harm not just transgender youth but all in Louisiana,” said Gonzalez-Pagan.
Gonzalez-Pagan said the Louisiana lawsuit is on behalf of five families who are directly impacted by the ban. He said the ban prohibits their clients from either moving from one treatment to another or inhibits their ability to start any treatment whatsoever.
“After careful deliberation and consultation with their medical providers have been recommended to access this care for their transgender adolescent children who require it and will no longer be able to access it in a way that is recommended as a result of this ban,” said Gonzalez-Pagan.
Lamba Law has filed lawsuits in states with similar bans like North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Montana, and Texas.
The author of the legislation, Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, says the lawsuit was expected. He points out that appellate courts in other states have upheld similar laws.
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