Boston-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is co-representing the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit to stop a newly signed anti-transgender law in Alabama from going into effect. The law would impose criminal penalties on parents seeking medical care for their transgender children and on the kids’ doctors.
Along with GLAD, representing the plaintiffs are the Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Center for Lesbian RIghts, and the Human Rights Campaign.
States an April 11 GLAD press release:
The bill, which was signed by Governor Kay Ivey Friday, punishes parents for making important decisions about their children’s healthcare and doctors for providing – or even suggesting – well-established medically necessary care. The punishment can include up to 10 years in prison.
The doctors challenging SB 184 in Ladinsky v. Ivey are Dr. Morissa J. Ladinsky and Dr. Hussein D. Abdul-Latif, both providers at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama and members of the medical staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital and the teaching staff at UAB School of Medicine. Dr. Ladinsky and Dr. Abdul-Latif have long-term expertise in caring for transgender children of Alabama families. Under SB 184, they both face criminal penalties including up to 10 years in prison if they continue to provide that support to their patients.
“Governor Ivey has signed an appalling bill authorizing the state of Alabama to reach in and interfere with family relationships,” said Jennifer Levi, GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director. “Parents want what’s best for their kids. SB 184 is an extremely dangerous law that undermines the health of Alabama children and the freedom of Alabama parents. It will not hold up to legal scrutiny.”
Read GLAD’s complete press release here.
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