A federal judge has ruled that an Oklahoma law protecting minors from gender transition treatments may go into effect. The law—which initially took effect May 1 before it was challenged—will prevent children under 18 from receiving “gender-transition procedures” including related surgeries, puberty blockers, or hormonal replacement drugs.

Five families with children who identify as transgender and wished to medically transition were joined by a medical provider in Poe v. Drummond in suing to block the law. They argued that Senate Bill 613 violates the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause under the 14th Amendment.

In his decision, U.S. District Court Judge John Heil, wrote, “[The law] does not prevent any adult—male or female—from undergoing Treatment Protocols in connection with gender affirming care; it only prevents minors from doing so. … [T]he distinction made is between adults who are ready to make life-altering decisions and minors who, at least in the eyes of the legislature, are not.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt—who signed the law earlier this year—issued a statement supporting the judge’s decision. “I am pleased with the court’s decision to uphold Oklahoma’s common sense law protecting children from dangerous, permanent sex change surgeries,” he said. “Here in Oklahoma, we protect our kids.”

The ruling comes on the heels of similar decisions to uphold such laws in other states, including Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.

Carson Ganci / Design Pics/Newscom