Pediatric endocrinologist Luis Casas testified in court that one of his patients attempted suicide after finding out that North Dakota had criminalized gender-affirming care for minors. The adolescent was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and planned to pursue medical treatment, only to be blocked by the law. Casas is challenging the ban, arguing that it violates personal autonomy and equal protection rights. He testified that withholding gender-affirming treatments can have catastrophic effects on mental health and cited high suicide rates among transgender youth in North Dakota.
Casas emphasized the importance of informed consent and individualized treatment plans for patients with gender dysphoria. Despite the ban containing exemptions for existing patients, he does not provide gender-affirming care to minors in North Dakota due to fear of prosecution. Experts and former plaintiffs in the trial have supported the effectiveness of gender-affirming treatments in improving the lives of transgender adolescents. The court will hear from state witnesses as the trial continues to determine the fate of the ban on gender-affirming care for minors in North Dakota.
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