Brandt et al v. Rutledge et al
What's at Stake
Four families of transgender youth and two doctors have challenged an Arkansas law that would prohibit healthcare professionals from providing or even referring transgender young people for medically necessary health care. The law would also bar any state funds or insurance coverage for gender-affirming health care for transgender people under 18, and it would allow private insurers to refuse to cover gender-affirming care for people of any age. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that House Bill 1570 is a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Summary
Some of the families who have sued the state are considering leaving their homes, their jobs, their extended families, and their communities, to ensure their children are able to access gender-affirming care. The care that would be banned by the Arkansas law has been shown in recent studies to dramatically reduce depression and suicidal ideation in transgender young people with gender dysphoria.
In addition to doctors in Arkansas opposing H.B. 1570, major medical organizations opposed this law and similar bills proposed throughout the country in 2021.
The families include Dylan Brandt and his mother, Joanna Brandt; Brooke Dennis and her parents, Amanda and Shayne Dennis; Sabrina Jennen and her parents, Lacey and Aaron Jennen; and Parker Saxton and his father, Donnie Saxton.
Dr. Michelle Hutchison and Dr. Kathryn Stambough are also challenging the law because it would prevent them from treating their patients with medically-necessary care or even refer them to other providers for treatment.
The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU’s Jon L. Stryker and Slobodan Randjelović LGBTQ & HIV Project, the ACLU of Arkansas, and the law firms of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Gill Ragon Owen, and the Walas Law Firm.
Legal Documents
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11/16/2022
Order Denying Defendants-Appellants' Petition for Rehearing En Banc -
10/11/2022
Amicus Briefs in Support of Defendants-Appellants' Petition for Rehearing En Banc -
- Amicus Brief of Medical and Mental Health Professionals
- Amicus Brief of Family Research Council
- Amicus Brief of Alabama and 19 Other States
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Medical and Mental Health ProfessionalsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/11/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Family Research CouncilDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/11/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Alabama and 19 Other StatesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/11/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
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10/06/2022
Defendants-Appellants' Petition for Rehearing En Banc -
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10/17/2022
Plaintiffs-Appellees' Response to Defendants-Appellants' Petition for Rehearing En Banc
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsPlaintiffs-Appellees' Response to Defendants-Appellants' Petition for Rehearing En BancDownload DocumentDate Filed: 10/17/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
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10/17/2022
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08/25/2022
Order Upholding District Court’s Preliminary Injunction Ruling -
02/04/2022
Reply Brief of Defendants-Appellants -
01/19/2022
Amicus Briefs in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellees -
- Amicus Brief of The Trevor Project
- Amicus Brief of the United States
- Amicus Brief of the Institute for Justice
- Amicus Brief of 21 Medical Groups
- Amicus Brief of 9 International Groups
- Amicus Brief of Lambda Legal, National Womens Law Center et al
- Amicus Brief of Trans Adult Voices
- Amicus Brief of Bioethicists
- Amicus Brief of California and 20 Other States
- Amicus Brief of Businesses
- Amicus Brief of Families with Trans Children
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of The Trevor ProjectDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/02/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of the United StatesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/25/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of the Institute for JusticeDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/25/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of 21 Medical GroupsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of 9 International GroupsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Lambda Legal, National Womens Law Center et alDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Trans Adult VoicesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of BioethicistsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of California and 20 Other StatesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of BusinessesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Families with Trans ChildrenDownload DocumentDate Filed: 01/19/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
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01/13/2022
Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellees -
11/23/2021
Amicus Briefs in Support of Defendants-Appellants -
- Amicus Brief of Alabama and 18 Other States
- Amicus Brief of Family Research Council
- Amicus Brief of Women's Liberation Front
- Amicus Brief of Medical and Mental Health Professionals
- Amicus Brief of Yaacov Sheinfeld et al
- Amicus Brief of Keira Bell et al
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Alabama and 18 Other StatesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Family Research CouncilDownload DocumentDate Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Women's Liberation FrontDownload DocumentDate Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Medical and Mental Health ProfessionalsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Yaacov Sheinfeld et alDownload DocumentDate Filed: 11/23/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Keira Bell et alDownload DocumentDate Filed: 12/15/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
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11/15/2021
Brief of Defendants-Appellants -
09/07/2021
Defendants-Appellants' Statement of Issues on Appeal
Date Filed: 11/16/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Date Filed: 10/06/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Date Filed: 08/25/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Date Filed: 02/04/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Date Filed: 01/13/2022
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Date Filed: 11/15/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
Date Filed: 09/07/2021
Court: Appeals Court (8th Cir.)
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02/01/2023
Plaintiffs' Redacted Post-Trial Brief -
02/01/2023
Defendants' Post-Trial Brief -
01/18/2023
Plaintiffs' Redacted Proposed Findings of Fact -
01/18/2023
Defendants' Proposed Findings of Fact -
10/17/2022
Bench Trial Transcripts -
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 1
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 2
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 3
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 4
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 5
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 6
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 7
- Transcript of Bench Trial - Volume 8
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 1Download DocumentDate Filed: 10/17/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 2Download DocumentDate Filed: 10/18/2023
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 3Download DocumentDate Filed: 10/19/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 4Download DocumentDate Filed: 10/19/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 5Download DocumentDate Filed: 11/28/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 6Download DocumentDate Filed: 11/29/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 7Download DocumentDate Filed: 11/30/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsTranscript of Bench Trial - Volume 8Download DocumentDate Filed: 12/01/2022
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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07/21/2021
Order Denying Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and Granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
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08/02/2021
Supplemental Order
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsSupplemental OrderDownload DocumentDate Filed: 08/02/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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08/02/2021
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07/19/2021
Defendants' Supplemental Exhibits -
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07/19/2021
Supplemental Declaration of Stephen B. Levine -
07/19/2021
Supplemental Declaration of Mark Regnerus -
07/19/2021
Supplemental Declaration of Paul W. Hruz
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of Stephen B. LevineDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/19/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of Mark RegnerusDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/19/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of Paul W. HruzDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/19/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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07/19/2021
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07/09/2021
Amicus Briefs re Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
- Business Amicus Brief
- Medical Amicus Brief
- Alabama et al. Amicus Brief
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsBusiness Amicus BriefDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsMedical Amicus BriefDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAlabama et al. Amicus BriefDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/14/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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07/09/2021
Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
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07/09/2021
Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Aaron and Lacey Jennen -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Brooke Dennis -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Donnie Sexton -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Dr. Armand H. Matheny Antommaria -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Dr. Deanna Adkins -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Dr. Kathryn Stambough -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Dr. Michele Hutchinson -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Dylan Brandt -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Joanna Brandt -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Parker Sexton -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Sabrina Jennen -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Shayne and Amanda Dennis -
07/09/2021
Defendants' Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Stephen Levine -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Mark Regnerus -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Paul Hruz -
07/09/2021
Declaration of Patrick Lappert -
07/16/2021
Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction -
07/16/2021
Declaration of Jack Turban -
07/16/2021
Declaration of Deanna Adkins -
07/16/2021
Declaration of Armand Matheny Antommaria
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsMemorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary InjunctionDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Aaron and Lacey JennenDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Brooke DennisDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Donnie SextonDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Dr. Armand H. Matheny AntommariaDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Dr. Deanna AdkinsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Dr. Kathryn StamboughDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Dr. Michele HutchinsonDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Dylan BrandtDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Joanna BrandtDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Parker SextonDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Sabrina JennenDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Shayne and Amanda DennisDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDefendants' Opposition to Motion for Preliminary InjunctionDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Stephen LevineDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Mark RegnerusDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Paul HruzDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Patrick LappertDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsPlaintiffs' Reply in Support of Motion for Preliminary InjunctionDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/16/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Jack TurbanDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/16/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Deanna AdkinsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/16/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Armand Matheny AntommariaDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/16/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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07/09/2021
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07/09/2021
Defendants' Motion to Dismiss -
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07/09/2021
Plaintiffs' Opposition to Motion to Dismiss -
07/09/2021
Defendants' Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsPlaintiffs' Opposition to Motion to DismissDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsDefendants' Reply Brief in Support of Motion to DismissDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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07/09/2021
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06/17/2021
DOJ Statement of Interest -
05/25/2021
Complaint -
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09/14/2021
Answer to Complaint
Brandt et al v. Rutledge et alLegal DocumentsAnswer to ComplaintDownload DocumentDate Filed: 09/14/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
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09/14/2021
Date Filed: 02/01/2023
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 02/01/2023
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 01/18/2023
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 01/18/2023
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 07/21/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 07/19/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 07/09/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 06/17/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Date Filed: 05/25/2021
Court: Eastern District of Arkansas
Press Releases
US District Court Trial Challenging Arkansas’ Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Begins
Federal Court Upholds Preliminary Injunction Against Arkansas Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth
Federal Court Blocks Arkansas Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth from Moving Forward
ACLU Sues Arkansas Over Ban on Health Care for Transgender Youth
