The decision from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was 2-1. Judges said the restrictions are within the purview of the Indiana General Assembly.
Micah Clark of AFA Indiana praised the decision.
“It's a great ruling for parents and for children because these procedures for gender altering surgeries and drugs are untested and unproven. We don't know the long-term consequences for them. It puts parents back in the driver's seat.”
Clark says Indiana already restricts things based on age. This is just one more area.
“In Indiana, you cannot get a tattoo if you're not 18. You can't go to the doctor's office by yourself. You can't donate blood until you're 17. You can't drive a car until you're 16."
Meanwhile, Clark says no one takes a person with anorexia and gives them liposuction because the patients think it would make them look better.
It's unfair that protection should be withheld from minors in Indiana to satisfy progressive initiatives.
“Someone who is gender confused who is a minor should not make a life-altering decision with something that is far more political than it is medical,” Clark said.
Thursday's ruling came after a February decision by the appeals court to allow the law to go into effect. U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon issued an injunction preventing the law from going into effect.
The American Civil Liberties Union is behind the legal challenges. Clark expects they will keep fighting.
“The ACLU seems to have endless funds. They always seem to appeal to the very end, but I hope if they do appeal, they lose again."
In this instance, take a cue from Europe
Clark also echoed the statements from critics of gender manipulation that Europe has been moving away from these procedures on minors. Clark adds that suicide attempts still continue.
"Kids who go through these processes need mental counseling. They don't need physical altercations or drugs that stabilize them."
