Judge allows hormone therapy to resume for transgender kids in Georgia

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Transgender Rights

Georgia’s New Law Temporarily Blocked

A federal judge on Sunday temporarily blocked Georgia’s new law that bans certain treatments for transgender children while a lawsuit makes its way through the legal system.

Judge’s Ruling and Violation of Equal Protection

In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty said that the law violates the 14th Amendment right of equal protection by discriminating against transgender minors. The law banned transgender minors from receiving hormone treatment.

Impact on Gender Identity and Physical Characteristics

“The desired outcome of the banned treatments — as no one disputes — is to begin a physical transition so that the adolescent patient’s development and appearance do not conform to those expected of the patient’s birth sex, but rather to the patient’s gender identity,” Geraghty wrote in her ruling. “In other words, (the law) therefore bans the use of cross-sex hormones only for those whose gender identity and natal sex (sex at birth) incongruent, and only for the purpose of achieving gender-nonconforming physical characteristics.”

Resumption of Hormone Therapy Treatments

Geraghty’s ruling allows the resumption of hormone therapy treatments for minors, which had been banned since July 1.

Lawsuit Filed by Georgia Families

Several Georgia families filed a federal lawsuit against the state in June that had asked the courts to stop the measure from taking effect, saying it takes away the rights of parents to make health care decisions for their children. The complaint was filed a little more than a day before the law took effect July 1.

Debate on Protecting Children vs. Medical Standards of Care

Supporters of the law say it protects children from taking steps toward gender transition that are permanent. Opponents say the law goes against published medical “standards of care” and will end up hurting transgender children, who commit suicide at a higher rate than their nontransgender peers.

Victory for Georgia Families

Attorneys for the families — represented by civil rights organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, the Human Rights Campaign and the Southern Poverty Law Center — called Geraghty’s order an “incredible victory for Georgia families.”

Attorney General’s Disappointment and Appeal

Kara Richardson, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Chris Carr, said he was disappointed in the judge’s decision and plans to “immediately appeal to protect the health and well-being of Georgia’s children.”

Positive Effects of Hormone Therapy Treatment

Geraghty’s ruling comes after a two-day hearing earlier this month where attorneys representing the families of transgender children said that upholding Georgia’s law will have negative effects on the mental and physical health of transgender minors.

Risks of Gender Dysphoria and Benefits of Hormone Therapy

Receiving hormone therapy treatment, Geraghty wrote, improves mental health outcomes in various ways for minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria, such as reducing anxiety and depression and reducing suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Gender dysphoria — the distress that comes from feeling you’re not the gender you were assigned at birth — is a diagnosis often given to transgender people.

Potential Harms of Banning Hormone Therapy

“A ban on hormone therapy would deprive patients of the possibility of these benefits,” Geraghty wrote. “It would, indeed, be likely to put some individuals at risk of the serious harms associated with gender dysphoria that gender-affirming care seeks to prevent.

Irreparable Harm vs. State’s Concerns

“The court determines that the imminent risks of irreparable harm to plaintiffs flowing from the ban — including risks of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, self-harm and suicidal ideation — outweigh any harm the state will experience from the injunction,” Geraghty wrote in her order.

Need for Further Studies and Medical Risks

Attorneys representing the state argued that more studies should be done before claiming that the benefits of allowing minors to receive hormone or surgical treatment outweigh any potential medical risks, such as blood clots, heart disease or infertility.

Provisions of Georgia’s Law

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators:

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Source: ajc.com

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