Georgia Court Temporarily Halts Ban on Prisoner Gender-Affirming Care

On September 4, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction that partially blocks enforcement of a state law that went into effect in May 2025. This law was intended to prohibit “controversial procedures,” including surgical, hormone or cosmetic procedures to treat gender dysphoria, being performed on inmates. The preliminary injunction pertains to the provision of hormone therapy, and orders the continued provision of hormone therapy and evaluations for hormone therapy. In issuing the preliminary injunction, the court concluded that the state law likely violates the prisoners’ Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment.