The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Oklahoma’s ban on gender-transition procedures for minors. The federal court, which covers Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, ruled that the 2023 law was not intended to discriminate against transgender youth.
The unanimous decision drew on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld a similar Tennessee ban. By affirming Oklahoma’s law, the Tenth Circuit reinforced that states within its jurisdiction may prohibit transgender surgeries for minors—an important precedent for all six states in the circuit.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised the outcome, saying he was “grateful the battle is now won” and that “children will no longer be subjected to the lifelong consequences of these damaging procedures.”
The Tenth Circuit’s decision comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s cert grants in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. BPJ, which involve state laws that protect female athletes from having to compete against biological males who identify as female.
This is the second amicus brief our firm has filed on behalf of First Choice at the Supreme Court. With oral arguments set for December, the case will determine whether ministries like First Choice can continue their mission free from government intimidation.
Read Decision Here: 10th Circuit Decision