Judge temporarily blocks law in Idaho that would ban gender-affirming care for minors

A federal judge in Idaho temporarily blocked a law that would have made it illegal to give "gender-affirming" care treatments on minors.

The law that was blocked would have made it a felony to give such treatments to those under 18. Medical professionals who did so could face up to 10 years in prison. 

The law was passed by the GOP-controlled Idaho legislature in February and later the ACLU and two families filed a lawsuit to stop it from being taken into effect. 

In the preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill wrote that the “key point of disagreement in this litigation is whether medical interventions allowed under the [World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)] and Endocrine Society guidelines are safe, effective, and medically necessary for some adolescents suffering from gender dysphoria.”

"The Court finds that the treatment for gender dysphoria — when provided in accordance with the guidelines published by WPATH and the Endocrine Society, and which may include medical interventions such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries — is safe, effective, and medically necessary for some adolescents," Winmill continued, according to The Hill. 

Winmill also added that the treatment could improve the "wellbeing" of some adolescents. 

“This victory is significant for Idaho transgender youth and their parents, and will have an immediate positive impact on their daily lives,” said Leo Morales, executive director of the ACLU of Idaho, in an emailed statement, according to The Idaho Capitol Sun.