BOISE, Idaho – The US Supreme Court allowed Idaho to enact a law which bans LGBTQ+ healthcare for minors in a landmark Monday decision penned by the conservative super-majority.
The Labrador v. Poe decision allows the State of Idaho to enact criminal penalties on any doctor who attempts to aid a young person in securing gender affirming care.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) responded to the ruling via social media.
“This decision puts the health [and] safety of Idaho’s trans youth at risk. We will keep fighting these attempts to undermine equality,” the campaign said.
HRC declared a state of emergency for queer Americans in June following what they characterize as a spike in bills dissuading or banning LGBTQ+ identity passing state legislatures across the country.
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador celebrated the ruling and denied the validity of transgender identities in a Monday statement.
“Those suffering from gender dysphoria deserve love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality. Denying the basic truth that boys and girls are biologically different hurts our kids,” Labrador said.
Transgender identities are recognized by the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association.
The national American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of Idaho issued a joint statement following the court decision.
“Today’s ruling allows the state to shut down the care that thousands of families rely on while sowing further confusion and disruption,” the ACLU said.
Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) signed the bill banning all LGBTQ+ healthcare for minors across the state in May 2023.
He doubled-down on legislation targeting transgender communities this legislative session, including supporting a bill barring trans adults from using Medicaid to secure gender affirming care and allowing teachers to ignore a student’s preferred pronouns.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reflects a conservative shift that has taken place in the nation’s highest legal body over the course of the past decade.
