Victory for Transgender Kids in Arizona
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit affirmed a trial court decision blocking enforcement of Arizona’s law banning transgender girls in public schools from playing on any girls’ teams.
The case was brought by two transgender girls who are receiving medical treatment for gender dysphoria, the medical term for the distress experienced when a persons’ innate sense of their gender does not match their birth sex. The trial court considered extensive expert testimony from medical experts who explained that the plaintiffs in this case do not have any athletic advantage over other girls and ruled that Arizona’s law sweeps far too broadly.
As a result of this decision, the two girls can continue to play on girls’ teams while the case proceeds to trial. More
Conversion Therapy Remains Banned in Colorado
This month, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Colorado’s law prohibiting conversion therapy for minors is valid as a regulation of medical professionals’ conduct. With this decision, the Tenth Circuit joins the overwhelming majority of federal courts, which have ruled that laws protecting youth from the dangers of conversion therapy are constitutional and consistent with states’ longstanding authority to protect the health and wellbeing of the public. Twenty-five states and over 100 localities have laws or administrative policies protecting youth from these practices or preventing the expenditure of state funds on conversion therapy.
NCLR filed a brief in the case on behalf of One Colorado, the state’s largest LGBTQ organization. NCLR’s co-counsel on the case are Craig M. Finger and Amalia Y. Sax-Bolder of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP in Denver. More
Shannon Minter Featured in Twelve Soldiers Project
NCLR Legal Director, Shannon Minter, was featured this month in the online publication Twelve Soldiers.
Twelve Soldiers is a year-long monthly series featuring an LGBTQ social justice warrior who has used their position to affect change in the LGBTQ community. Shannon shares his personal story, reflects on his career, and shares his optimism for the future.
Florida Rural Pride
Last month, NCLR hosted 8 virtual sessions at our Virtual Rural Pride Summit for Florida, featuring speakers from partner organizations including Equality Florida, Southern Legal Counsel, QLatinx, Community Spring and Friends Together. The content of each presentation was informative and highlighted the importance of working together to defend and advance legal and political protections for LGBTQ people in rural Florida.
The virtual summit gave us more information, energy and strengthened relationships that we hope to continue building on for the in-person summit scheduled for later this year.
SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Healthcare Ban Case
We filed an amicus brief in support of transgender youth and their families alongside SAGE, the National Trans Bar Association, the LGBT Bar Association of Greater NY, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Mazzoni Center, and Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom.
The Supreme Court will be hearing U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee’s law banning medical care for transgender youth. Every family should have the freedom to love and support their children, but these bans deny that right to families of transgender youth. That’s why we’re proud to stand with Kentucky families who have been challenging a similar law in their state. As we wait for the Supreme Court to hear the case in the next few months and issue its decision next summer, we will continue to support transgender youth, their families, and medical providers. More
Welcome to our Fall Law Clerk, Megan Looney!
Megan will be working with NCLR this fall on federal advocacy and policy, as well as assisting Ming Wong, Director of Community Justice and Access, with the helpline.
Megan is currently in her third year at the University of New Mexico School of Law. She is interested in Family, Sports, and Civil Rights law. Upon graduating, she plans to work in these areas to help change lives and give back to her community. Welcome to NCLR, Megan!
