Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have officially ended their legal battle against Alabama’s law that restricts gender transition procedures for minors.
The lawsuit was originally filed by parents of transgender teens in response to the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, a state law passed in 2022. The law makes it illegal for doctors to provide puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or gender transition surgeries to anyone under 18.
The case, known as Boe v. Marshall, was dismissed after years of legal back-and-forth. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which supported Alabama’s defense, confirmed the dismissal in a public statement.
What the Law Does
According to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the law aims to:
- Protect minors from irreversible medical procedures
- Ensure children are not pressured into permanent decisions
- Empower parents to provide stable and compassionate care
While a federal district court initially blocked the law in May 2022, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision in August 2023. This allowed the state to begin enforcing the law.
Supporters Say the Law Protects Children
Jonathan Scruggs, ADF’s Senior Counsel and Vice President of Litigation Strategy, praised Alabama’s approach. He emphasized that the law supports children’s natural development and prioritizes mental health care over quick medical fixes.
“More countries and states are rethinking aggressive gender policies,” Scruggs said. “Alabama is helping lead a global shift back to common-sense care.”
Scruggs also thanked Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and noted that over 24 other states are working on similar legislation.
Attorney General: “A Victory for Families and Reality”
In a press release, Attorney General Marshall recounted the legal journey, describing how major law firms and activist groups tried to overturn Alabama’s law.
“We fought hard,” he said. “We defeated the preliminary injunction and uncovered troubling inconsistencies in the so-called ‘standards of care’ used by the plaintiffs.”
Marshall called the evidence a “scandal” that exposed political and medical bias, claiming it will be studied for years to come.
“This isn’t just a win for Alabama—it’s a win for families, for children, and for biological truth,” Marshall said. “We stood strong, and now the rest of the nation is taking notice.”
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