Temporary restraining order issued one day before the Trump administration had demanded these records be produced 

SAN FRANCISCO—Last night, the US District Court for the Northern District of California issued an emergency order in Z.A., et al. v. Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford blocking the Department of Justice from seizing the confidential medical records of California families whose children receive transgender health care. 

The temporary restraining order comes one day before the Trump administration had demanded that California hospitals turn over these children’s private, confidential medical records. The order blocks the transfer of records while the court further considers the constitutional questions raised. 

The lead attorneys in this case, the National Center for LGBTQ Rights’ Shannon Minter and GLAD Law’s Jennifer Levi issued the following statements in response to last night’s emergency order:   

Shannon Minter, National Center for LGBTQ Rights Legal Director said:  

“What the Trump administration is attempting with these grand jury subpoenas is unprecedented. The court recognized the urgency and stepped in before harm could be done to these families by preventing the government from seizing their kids’ confidential information.”  

Jennifer Levi, GLAD Law Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights said:  
“The federal government is engaging in extraordinary measures, using a secret grand jury process to try and pry into patients’ medical records. Today’s order gives these families the relief of knowing that private information about their children will not be immediately turned over to DOJ.” 

The families are represented by the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, GLAD Law, and Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP. 

Z.A., et al. v. Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford wasfiled in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division. A copy of the complaint, motion, and supporting documents here. 

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The National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding in 1977, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. www.nclrights.org  

GLAD Law (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders) has been a leading force in LGBTQ+ rights for nearly 50 years. With deep roots in New England and impact nationwide, we use strategic litigation, legislation, and public education to fight discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and HIV status. GLAD Law’s bold strategy and precedent-setting victories have reshaped the legal landscape, advancing equality for all people facing discrimination and social barriers. www.gladlaw.org