Federal judge blocks Indiana ban on gender treatments for minors, except for surgeries

A federal judge on Friday stopped Indiana's ban on gender-related treatments for minors from taking effect.

U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction stopping the state from enforcing its ban on gender treatments for minors, but specifically exempted the prohibitions on cross-sex surgeries, according to The Hill.

The ban was due to take effect July 1. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the measure in early April and, should it ultimately take effect, transgender minors must cease taking the myriad medications banned under the law by the end of the year.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) subsequently sued the state on behalf of a group of transgender children, their parents, and a physician. ACLU Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk asserted that the group would continue litigating the law until it was "struck down for good."

At least 20 states have imposed either total bans or some restrictions on access to gender-related treatments for minors, according to the pro-LGBT Movement Advancement Project.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.