Photo of protesters holding pro-trans signage. Text: Kentucky lawmakers are interfering with the rights of LGBTQ Youth...so we sued. Photo Credit: Von Smith

We're suing in federal court to block the ban on essential health care for trans you in Kentucky. Senate Bill 150, one of the worst anti-trans laws in the nation, passed during the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly. Trans youth and their families are entitled to equal protection under the law and freedom to access to the things they need to live full and authentic lives, as guaranteed by the national and state constitutions.   

Senate Bill 150 

The Kentucky General Assembly recently passed Senate Bill 150, one of the worst anti-trans bills in the country, by overriding Governor Beshear’s veto.   

Senate Bill 150 is an egregious example of government overreach by inserting lawmakers between doctors and patients and violating the fundamental rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their children. This law prohibits essential medical care for trans youth in Kentucky by targeting health care providers and threatening them with loss of licensure if they provide that care to minors. 

SB 150 is part of a national effort to enact anti-LGBTQ laws. These bills are not coming from major medical or educational groups, nor are they supported by them. These are political attacks from groups with a fundamental opposition to transgender people being able to live openly, freely, and affirmed as who they really are.  

Trans people belong in Kentucky, and we will continue to fight for their right to equal protection under the law and freedom to access to the things they need to live full and authentic lives, as guaranteed by the national and state constitutions.  


View legal documents and court orders in the menu at the bottom of this page.

Pro Bono Law Firm(s)

ACLU of Kentucky, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

Date filed

May 3, 2023

Court

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Status

In U.S. Supreme Court

Press releases and legal documents

Press Releases

Follow the Case

May 3, 2023: ACLU-KY and NCLR Partner to Sue over Transgender Health Care Ban in Kentucky

We're suing in federal court to retain access to gender-affirming health care for transgender minors in Kentucky. Read more.

June 28, 2023: Federal Court Blocks Unconstitutional Ban On Necessary Medical Care For Transgender Youth

A federal judge granted our request for a preliminary injunction preventing Section 4 of SB 150 from going into affect for the duration of our lawsuit. Read more.

July 14, 2023: ACLU of Kentucky and NCLR Statement on Stay of Injunction in Trans Youth Healthcare Ban

A federal judge for the Western District of Kentucky today ruled to stay the preliminary injunction in Doe v Thornbury. The stay will remain in effect while the appeal is heard. Read more.

November 1, 2023: Kentucky Families Will Urge US Supreme Court to Block Ban on Essential Healthcare for Transgender Youth

We filed a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit's decision to stay our preliminary injunction. Read more.

June 24, 2024: Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Transgender Youth Healthcare Ban

The Supreme Court of the United States has decided to review the Sixth Circuit’s decision preventing transgender youth from receiving necessary medical care in Tennessee and Kentucky. Read more

September 3, 2024: Kentucky Families and Civil Rights Groups Urge United State Supreme Court to Rule Against Discriminatory and Harmful Transgender Health Bans

Kentucky parents of transgender children and a wide array of civil rights groups have weighed in as the Supreme Court prepares to hear U.S. v. Skrmetti, the challenge to Tennessee’s ban on healthcare for transgender adolescents. Read more.

Initial Court Filings | May 3, 2023

Read our challenge to Kentucky's transgender health care ban for minors, our proposed orders, and our factual exhibits

Read our complaint below arguing the Kentucky Constitution protects the right to medically necessary care for transgender youth in Kentucky. 

Motion for Preliminary Injunction | May 22, 2023

Read our motion for an injunction to stop implementation of the trans youth healthcare ban and declarations from plaintiffs and expert witnesses.

Read our motion and declarations from medical experts and Kentucky families who would be harmed by implementation of a trans youth heathcare ban.

DOJ Statement of Interest

Read the Department of Justice's State of Interest in our case against banning essential health care for trans youth.

The Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest in Doe v. Thornbury, making it clear they agree that banning essential health care for trans youth violates the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. See the full filing linked below.

Preliminary Injunction Decision | June 28, 2023

Read a federal judge's decision to grant our preliminary injunction stop implementation of the trans youth healthcare ban.

A federal judge granted our request for a preliminary injunction preventing Section 4, the health care ban portion of SB 150, from going into affect for the duration of our lawsuit. Read the full filing below.

Stay of Injunction | July 14, 2023

Read the order for the stay of the preliminary injunction.

This order bans medically necessary healthcare for transgender minors in Kentucky.

Emergency Motion to Lift Stay | July 18, 2023

Read our motion asking the Sixth Circuit to lift the stay on our injunction.

Read our motion for an emergency action to lift the stay and allow transgender youth in Kentucky to access medically necessary care.

Appeal to Lift Stay | August 10, 2023

Read our appeal asking the Sixth Circuit to lift the stay on our injunction.

Read our appeal to the Sixth Circuit asking them to lift the stay and allow transgender youth in Kentucky to access medically necessary care.

Petition for a Writ of Certioari | November 3, 2023

Read our petition asking the United States Supreme Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit's decision to stay our preliminary injunction.

Read our petition asking the United States Supreme Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit's decision to stay our preliminary injunction.

Amicus Brief

Read our friend of the court brief joining Tennessee's case against a similar law.

Read our friend of the court brief joining Tennessee's case against a similar law.