Federal Judge Halts Georgia's Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking part of Georgia's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, specifically the provision that prohibits licensed medical professionals from providing cross-sex hormone therapy to patients under 18. The judge deemed this provision likely unconstitutional and stated that the risks of harm to plaintiffs, including depression and self-harm, outweighed any harm the state would experience from the injunction. The ban on gender transition surgery for minors was not blocked. At least 20 states have implemented restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans youth in recent years.