In response to a ruling on Monday that allowed Alabama to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, advocates have established a fund to provide grants and resources to impacted families.

The Magic City Acceptance Center, Prism United and the Campaign for Southern Equality have created the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project, a regional effort to help transgender youth whose access to gender-affirming care has been disrupted by government policies.

“This decision is devastatingly malicious – these judges are knowingly harming young people across Alabama. It is a heart-breaking development and a blow to youth who simply want to live as their authentic selves,” said Corey Harvard, executive director of Prism United in Mobile.

“To every trans youth or parent of a trans youth, please know: We see you, we are here for you, and we are ready to fight this harmful, politically-motivated, anti-science decision until trans youth have access to the healthcare they deserve.”

The Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project will help trans youth receive information about Alabama’s ban, identify out-of-state gender-affirming care providers, and provide emergency grants of $500 for immediate needs, including travel, medication, and other logistics.

Alabama’s law, titled the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, prohibits minors under the age of 19 from receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy. It also punishes not only doctors, but also “any other individual” who “prescribes or administers” the treatments, with a felony conviction and up to 10 years in jail.

Puberty blockers and hormone therapy are considered safe and effective “evidence-based care” for children and adults, in appropriate situations, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The treatments are also endorsed by more than twenty-two major medical associations.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district judge’s injunction issued last May that had temporarily blocked the state from enforcing the ban. The ruling could potentially impact similar bans on gender-affirming care in Florida and Georgia, which are both on hold by district court orders.

A trial is scheduled for April 2 on whether to permanently block Alabama’s law.

“This ruling from the 11th Circuit is the latest example of the exhausting whiplash that families are facing – taking every step to care for their children, then needing to repeatedly pivot to other options. We are honored to be able to help and heart-broken that the support is so necessary right now,” said Allison Scott, director of Impact & Innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality.

Alabama families interested in requesting support can do so at: https://southernequality.org/ALResources/