Human Rights Campaign Reacts to Supreme Court Decision Allowing Idaho to Enforce its Ban on Health Care for Transgender Youth

The Injunction is Lifted Except As It Applies to the Plaintiffs

WASHINGTON - Today, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Kelley Robinson reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reverse the injunction temporarily blocking the enforcement of Idaho's gender-affirming care ban, putting the safety and well-being of Idaho's transgender youth at risk. This decision comes after Idaho filed an emergency request asking the Supreme Court to reverse the lower court decisions and allow the state to enforce the ban while the challenge to the law remains pending. The injunction means that the law can take effect and be enforceable except against the plaintiffs to this case.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

"This decision is as heartbreaking as it is infuriating and exemplifies the state of anti-LGBTQ+ extremism our community is currently facing. Restricting or removing access to best practice, necessary and potentially life-saving medical care is harmful and illustrates a concerning disregard for what transgender youth experience and what they need to flourish authentically," said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. "As we witness our basic rights being rolled back, and the constitutionality of marriage equality being criticized by someone seated on the highest court of this county, we know that the threats against us are serious and that the fight ahead hinges on our turn out at the ballot box. We will continue to fight back against these sad and dangerous attempts to undermine equality and work towards a future where freedom and justice are guaranteed without exception."

The ban, which was signed into law last year, will penalize doctors for providing certain gender-affirming care services for LGBTQ+ youth in Idaho. A US District Court temporarily blocked the enforcement of the law which was later upheld by a 9th US Court of Appeals decision earlier this year. However, the Supreme Court has now decided to reverse the temporary injunction, allowing the enforcement of the ban except against the plaintiffs, and preventing LGBTQ+ youth from accessing gender-affirming care while the challenge to the law remains pending.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

###