Lawsuit over Alabama's transgender care ban for minors can proceed as judge denies federal request for a stay

A federal judge declined Tuesday to pause litigation challenging Alabama's ban on gender-affirming care for minors as similar cases wind upward toward the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Liles Burke said no to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice to put the Alabama case on hold until appellate courts decide if they will hear related petitions on whether states can enact such bans. The Justice Department asked for the stay because, "this exceptional legal landscape is quickly evolving."

Burke wrote that the case will move forward for now. He said a stay might be appropriate later if those petitions are granted.