Today the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the state of Arkansas' newly passed Act 1. Slated to take effect January 1, Act 1 bans any unmarried person who lives with a partner from serving as an adoptive or foster parent in the state. In our lawsuit, we argue that Act 1 violates the federal and state constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. Read the release.
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Press ReleaseDec 2024
LGBTQ Rights
Military Families of Transgender Youth Under Attack In Defense Bill
WASHINGTON — Active-duty military personnel with transgender youth enrolled in TRICARE could be denied access to gender-affirming medical care if a proposal in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is allowed to become law. The American Civil Liberties Union is opposing final passage of the defense bill over the inclusion of this health care ban. Section 708 of the NDAA would prohibit insurance coverage for “medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria” such as hormone therapy and puberty-suppressant medications, which Speaker Mike Johnson says would “permanently ban transgender medical treatment for minors.” The same treatments would be covered by TRICARE for any medical purpose other than treating gender dysphoria, the clinical diagnosis for the psychological distress experienced by transgender people related to their gender identity. “This is a dangerous affront to the dignity and well-being of young people whose parents have dedicated their lives to this country’s armed forces,” said Mike Zamore, national director of policy and government affairs. “Medical care should stay between families and their doctors but this provision would baselessly and recklessly inject politics into the health care military families receive. Nobody should have to choose between serving the country and ensuring their child has the health care they need to live and thrive. Members of Congress must vote against the defense bill because of the inclusion of this deeply harmful, unconstitutional provision.” If passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, this health care ban would be the first new anti-LGBTQ provision enacted by Congress since the passage of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” in the 1990s. It is unknown how many transgender youth are currently enrolled in TRICARE or how many of those enrolled are currently receiving coverage for gender-affirming care. In one 2022 analysis, 2,500 minor patients sought care for gender dysphoria through TRICARE Prime insurance at military or civilian treatment facilities in 2017, and 900 received puberty-suppressants or gender-affirming hormones. That amounts to one tenth of one percent (or 0.1%) of the 918,000 youth aged 6 to 18 years who have at least one parent on active-duty or ready reserve military status. TRICARE has covered gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth since 2016. Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark case brought by the ACLU, the ACLU of Tennessee, Lambda Legal, and Akin Gump on behalf of three families and a medical provider challenging a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming hormonal therapies for transgender youth on the grounds the ban violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. -
PodcastDec 2024
LGBTQ Rights
The Truth About Gender-Affirming Care with W. Kamau Bell, Nava Mau, and Dr. Susan Lacy
By: ACLU -
News & CommentaryDec 2024
LGBTQ Rights
I'm a Doctor. I've Seen How Vital it is to Speak with Young People About Gender
Navin Kariyawasam, a trans physician, explains why trans adolescents must have the autonomy and power to make decisions about their bodies without political interference and with the support of family and their health care providers.By: Navin Kariyawasam -
News & CommentaryNov 2024
LGBTQ Rights
On Trans Day of Remembrance, My Grief is My Power
As the trans community remembers those we’ve lost, I find strength in understanding why the grievous injustices that continue to harm our community must be stopped.By: AC Facci