A federal judge deciding whether to block a Georgia law that bans hormone replacement therapies for people under 18 said Friday there were “significant interests” on both sides and she would need more time to rule.
During nearly two full days of hearings in Atlanta, Judge Sarah Geraghty heard conflicting testimony from witnesses about the safety and benefits of hormone therapy to treat adolescents with gender dysphoria — the distress felt when someone’s gender expression does not match their gender identity.
The law which was passed this year, took effect in July. It allows doctors to prescribe puberty-blocking medications and allows minors already receiving hormone therapy to continue treatment. But the law bans any new patients under 18 from starting hormone therapy. It also bans most gender-affirming surgeries for transgender people under 18.
