Court upholds red state’s ban on trans surgeries, treatments for minors

Missouri Court Upholds Ban on Child Mutilation

A Missouri state court recently ruled in favor of upholding a state law banning child mutilation after a brief two-week trial challenging the legislation. State Attorney General Andrew Bailey expressed his satisfaction with the decision, calling it a significant victory for the state’s children.

Bailey stated, “The Court has left Missouri’s law banning child mutilation in place, a resounding victory for our children. We are the first state in the nation to successfully defend such a law at the trial court level. I’m extremely proud of the thousands of hours my office put in to shine a light on the lack of evidence supporting these irreversible procedures. We will never stop fighting to ensure Missouri is the safest state in the nation for children.”

The ruling in Cole County coincides with the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming review of U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case in Tennessee that will address the constitutionality of the state’s ban on transgender surgical procedures and medications for minors. This decision could have implications for the future of “gender-affirming” care for minors across the country.

The Missouri court dismissed the arguments presented by the plaintiffs, including Emily Noe on behalf of her minor child, which suggested that minors should have the freedom to undergo various medical procedures as long as a medical professional recommends them. The court emphasized that similar arguments have been consistently rejected by courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

The law, enacted in 2023, has faced legal challenges from transgender minors, their families, and healthcare providers. It prohibits medical providers from performing transgender surgeries and administering hormone treatments such as puberty blockers to individuals under 18.

Missouri now stands as the first state to uphold a ban on these procedures at the trial court level. President-elect Trump has also expressed his intention to outlaw “gender-affirming” procedures on minors and prosecute medical providers who offer them. Currently, 26 states have enacted laws or policies that restrict transgender surgeries and treatments for minors, while 24 states and the District of Columbia allow such procedures or have implemented laws to protect access to them.

In conclusion, the Missouri court’s decision to uphold the ban on child mutilation reinforces the state’s commitment to protecting the well-being of children. As the legal landscape surrounding transgender healthcare continues to evolve, it is essential to prioritize the safety and welfare of minors in all medical decisions.