Judge postpones trial on Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has postponed the upcoming trial over Alabama’s ban on the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender youth until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a similar case from Tennessee.

U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke wrote in a Tuesday order that it “would be unwise for the Court to invest the substantial judicial resources required to decide this case until it has further guidance from the Supreme Court on the governing standard of review.” The trial, which had been set for October, will be postponed until after the Supreme Court issues its decision. Alabama’s ban, which has been in effect since last year, will remain in place.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month said it will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The case before the high court involves a challenge to the Tennessee law that also restricts the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat transgender youth. Arguments will take place in the fall.

Twenty-five states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Some have been blocked by the federal courts while others have been allowed to go into effect.

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