Eagle Forum Touts Legal Victory in Vulnerable Child Protection Act Case

In a statement released Friday, May 2, Eagle Forum of Alabama applauded the voluntary dismissal of a federal lawsuit challenging the state's Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act (VCAP).

As ALpolitics.com has previously reported, challenges to Alabama’s VCAP law were withdrawn by both the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) last week, effectively ending the legal battle against the law. Eagle Forum of Alabama actively worked in support of the passage of the VCAP Act and its defense, prior to the withdrawal.

“We are thrilled to share Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s announcement of yesterday’s historic legal victory following the dismissal of the lawsuit challenging VCAP.” EFA President Eunie Smith said, “The plaintiffs, represented by major national legal organizations, abandoned their challenge after Alabama’s investigation uncovered crucial evidence that the so-called “medical standards of care” were intentionally designed as a legal and political tool rather than a scientific guideline.”

Becky Gerritson, EFA Executive Director said, "I had the privilege of attending the public VCAP hearings in Judge Lyles Burke's courtroom in Montgomery. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to AG Marshall and his exceptional team for their outstanding work on the VCAP case. Their thorough research uncovered more damning evidence than we anticipated. Their diligence and hard work were instrumental in leading to the plaintiffs' dismissal of the case.” Mrs. Gerritson continued, “We firmly believe that as time progresses, the public will recognize the harm of these absurd and abusive medical interventions. We are forever grateful to AG Marshall and his team.”

The VCAP Act, enacted in 2022, prohibits medical providers from administering puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or gender transition surgeries to individuals under 19 years of age.

The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of civil rights organizations including the ACLU and the SPLC, initially succeeded in securing a preliminary injunction that blocked enforcement of the law. However, in 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed that injunction, allowing the state to begin enforcement of the law while the case continued.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall hailed the dismissal as a "generational win." "We fought back. We uncovered the truth. We exposed the scandal. We won," Marshall stated. Marshall emphasized that the state's investigation during the litigation revealed inconsistencies between the claimed medical standards for treating gender dysphoria in minors and the underlying scientific data, as well as influence from political advocacy groups.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen also praised the dismissal. “When I served in the Alabama House of Representatives, I sponsored the VCAP bill and fought for its passage to protect innocent children from medications and surgeries to change their sex. The legislation was the right thing to do then and it’s the right thing to do now,” Allen said. “Liberal activists intent on targeting children to advance their social agenda challenged the legislation in court and, for three years, have attempted to block the implementation of this important legislation. Today, that battle to protect our children is over. We won.” 

Opponents of the law, including major medical associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society, argue that gender-affirming care can be critical for the mental health and well-being of transgender youth. They warn that restricting access to such treatments could lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other adverse outcomes.

With the plaintiffs formally ending their legal challenge, the case is now considered resolved in favor of the state, clearing the way for full enforcement of the law. While Alabama officials celebrate the outcome, legal analysts caution that the national debate is far from over. Similar laws in other states remain under legal scrutiny, and future rulings—including one expected from the U.S. Supreme Court—could influence how gender-related medical care for minors is regulated across the country.

For more information on the case and the state's position, visit the Alabama Attorney General's official announcement HERE.