10-year-old Transgender Girl Sparks Win In Indiana
Federal judge rules against anti-trans law
A federal judge handed down a powerful ruling Tuesday, on behalf of a 10-year-old transgender girl in Indiana, offering a heartening win against the ongoing wave of anti-trans bigotry in Republican-dominated states.
Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana ruled that the transgender girl has the right to play on the girls softball team.
“The singling out of transgender females is unequivocally discrimination on the basis of sex, regardless of the policy argument,” the judge ruled.
The Magnus-Stinson decision is a significant victory for transgender rights at a time when many Republican-dominated states are passing laws restricting the ability of trans youth to play sports on the teams of the gender with which they identify, and even to receive gender-affirming healthcare with their parents' permission.
“When misinformation about biology and gender is used to bar transgender girls from school sports it amounts to the same form of sex discrimination that has long been prohibited under Title IX, a law that protects all students – including trans people – on the basis of sex,” the ACLU said in a statement following the decision. “We are pleased that Judge Magnus-Stinson has recognized this and required that A.M. be allowed to play on her school’s softball team.
“If other students are being denied the right to join a sports team at their school due to their transgender status, we encourage them to contact the ACLU of Indiana immediately.”
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita noted that even after the judge's ruling, the law (HEA 1041) remains in effect across the state.
Do you find this post of value?
Please consider supporting our work by joining our Patreon for as little as $5…
Also, please subscribe…