A federal judge will hear arguments next month on whether to block the enforcement of an Alabama law outlawing the use of gender-affirming medications to treat transgender people under age 19.
The May 5 hearing is scheduled just days before the law is set to take effect on May 8.
U.S. District Judge Liles Burke set the evidentiary hearing, scheduled to last up to two days, on a request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to stop Alabama officials from enforcing the law while a court challenge goes forward.
The Alabama law will make it a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for medical providers to give puberty blockers and hormones to transgender people under age 19 to help affirm their gender identity.
Four families with transgender children, two doctors, and a member of the clergy filed a lawsuit challenging the law as an unconstitutional violation of equal protection and free speech rights and an intrusion into parental decisions.
Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
