INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge has blocked Indiana's law that bans transgender girls from girls' school sports teams, which will allow a 10-year-old transgender girl to play on her school's all-girls softball team while litigation continues.
In the order on Tuesday, Judge Jane Magnus Stinson ruled the child, who is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, can play on the Indianapolis Public Schools girls' softball team.
The ACLU of Indiana filed a lawsuit in May, on behalf of the child, challenging House Enrolled Act 1041, which went into effect July 1 and bans transgender girls from participating in school sports. In June, the ACLU asked a judge for a preliminary injunction against enforcement until the lawsuit is decided.
Ken Falk, legal director at the ACLU of Indiana, shared the following statement with 13News:
"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.
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."
IPS issued a statement about the ruling Tuesday afternoon.
"IPS will comply with the injunction as it does all other laws and court orders. We will continue to support our students, including our transgender students, with the same care and attention we’ve demonstrated prior to the passage of HB 1041 and the filing of the current lawsuit," the district said.
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