Missouri Judge Upholds Law Banning Gender Transition Procedures On Minors

A judge in St. Louis, Missouri has stood by the true values of protecting American youth, refusing to block a groundbreaking new law set to go into effect soon. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson on June 7, prohibits doctors from conducting “gender transition” surgeries on minors and prescribing hormonal treatments aimed at altering their biological characteristics.

Missouri Judge Declines To Block Law Restricting Sex Change Procedures On Minors via @DailyCaller https://t.co/uyGALnmW7o

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This monumental decision comes after left-wing groups, including Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Missouri, challenged the law in court. 

Despite their efforts, the judge responsible for the case demonstrated unwavering support for the law by refusing to grant a preliminary injunction against it. As a result, the law is set to be enforced starting Aug. 28.

Judge Steven Ohmer of the Cole County Circuit Court, who presided over the challenge, made a clear and concise statement in his ruling, noting that the petitioner failed to demonstrate “probable success on its Constitutional challenges of the law.”

Ohmer highlighted that the scientific and medical evidence put forward by the petitioner was “conflicting and unclear,” drawing parallels to the precedent set by the Supreme Court case Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld the federal Partial Birth Abortion Act of 2003.

The essence of the law is grounded in the belief that medical professionals should not engage in practices that could be deemed harmful to minors. As the law states, any healthcare provider who performs gender transition surgeries or prescribes cross-gender hormones to individuals under the age of eighteen will have their license revoked due to unprofessional conduct. 

Moreover, the law allows patients who underwent such procedures to bring civil suits against the doctors within a 15-year window, guaranteeing them a minimum award of $500,000 if their case prevails.

In reaction to the ruling, the ACLU expressed disappointment that the injunctive relief was denied, contending that the law denies transgender adolescents their right to medically necessary healthcare and infringes upon the rights of affected adolescents and their parents. 

“While we are disappointed in and disagree with the court’s ruling, we will not stop fighting to protect the rights of transgender people in Missouri. The case is not over and will go to a full trial on the merits,” the organization said in a statement.

However, with the judge’s decision, the law will stand as written, putting the well-being and future of minors at the forefront.

For Attorney General Andrew Bailey, the ruling is a win and “a huge step” in the efforts to make Missouri safe for children.

“Missouri is the first state in the nation to successfully defend at the trial court level a law barring child mutilation. I’ve said from day one as Attorney General that I will fight to ensure that Missouri is the safest state in the nation for children. This is a huge step in that direction. What a day,” he said.