LAWRENCE, Kan. — Two families in Douglas County have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a newly enacted law that prohibits gender-affirming care for minors in Kansas. The ACLU of Kansas announced the legal action, which targets Senate Bill 63, enacted earlier this year, that restricts transgender youth under 18 from receiving vital medical treatments.
The lawsuit, known as Loe v. Kansas, alleges that this law infringes upon rights guaranteed by the Kansas Constitution, such as equal protection and fundamental rights. The case represents the interests of two adolescents, identified as Ryan, 16, and Lily, 13, alongside their mothers, Rebecca Roe and Lisa Loe.
D.C. Hiegert, a Civil Liberties Legal Fellow with the ACLU of Kansas, criticized the law for infringing on personal medical decisions. “Our clients and every Kansan should have the freedom to make their private medical choices without interference from politicians,” Hiegert stated. He described SB 63 as a troubling example of political overreach that targets vulnerable families in the state.
The legislation specifically prohibits healthcare providers in Kansas from offering gender-affirming treatments like hormone therapy and puberty blockers to minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria, though these interventions remain permissible for other medical reasons.
Harper Seldin, a Senior Staff Attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, highlighted the broader implications of such bans. “These restrictions have already caused significant harm to families across the nation, forcing many to relocate and watch their children suffer,” Seldin remarked. She emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring that every state is a safe environment for families, reiterating the urgency of opposing SB 63.
Senate Bill 63 was passed by the Kansas legislature last January, despite a veto by Governor Laura Kelly, who argued that the law undermines parental rights in access to necessary medical care for their children. The legislature subsequently overrode her veto, allowing the bill to take effect on February 20.
In response, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach expressed confidence in the law’s legitimacy, stating, “I look forward to meeting the ACLU in court and defending our Kansas law.” Kobach characterized the bill as a protective measure for children, arguing that legislators acted within their rights.
The complaint was officially submitted to the Kansas state court on May 28. For additional details about the case, interested parties can find the full complaint through ACLU channels.
This growing legal battle reflects the ongoing conflict surrounding the rights of transgender youth and the scope of legislative authority over medical decisions. As families brace for the legal proceedings, the implications of this law and the resultant challenge will be closely monitored, both in Kansas and across the nation.
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