Alabama Attorney General Fights Against Gender-Affirming Surgeries for Minors

Alabama’s Attorney General, Steve Marshall, is still actively opposing gender-affirming surgeries for minors. He is leading legal briefs across 24 states in support of Ohio’s law, which aims to protect children from what are described as experimental treatments. This brief calls on the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider a previous lower court ruling that blocked enforcement of the law, suggesting it contradicted the standards set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

Marshall expressed his frustration, stating, “Even after Alabama revealed details of a problematic court order that undermined dubious medical guidelines, courts in Ohio continued to pursue cases that made the law seem irrelevant.” He believes that instead of following WPATH’s standards, government regulations should prioritize safeguarding vulnerable children.

Marshall asserts that the Ohio court of appeals made a significant mistake by deferring to WPATH instead of relying on the state legislature when it comes to health regulations. He argues that it’s the government’s responsibility to oversee private interests and healthcare providers, rather than the opposite.

Marshall’s stance is part of a larger effort to challenge what he sees as misleading practices in healthcare related to minors experiencing gender discomfort. The case Boe v. Marshall brought to light concerns over major healthcare organizations like WPATH, which he claims have misrepresented treatments as settled science, overlooking international objections to sex-change procedures for minors.

In addition to defending Alabama’s law, Marshall has taken the lead in advocating for similar legislation across the country. His efforts included submitting important legal briefs that underscore findings from his investigations. The briefs represent a coalition of 24 states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and others.