An Indiana state appeals court upheld the trial court’s removal of a 16-year-old transgender minor who suffered from an eating disorder and was allegedly abused because their parents did not accept their transgender identity. The parents, citing their religious beliefs, refused to use their child’s preferred pronouns. The court said that even if the parents’ free exercise of religion was violated, the child’s health and welfare was a “compelling interest,” so the state was justified in acting against their religious beliefs. In re A.C. (Minor Child), (IN App., Oct. 21, 2022) https://public.courts.in.gov/Decisions/api/Document/Opinion?Id=43sECCBSPUXV-GW6EVq-1kPFe78ZcDjIZ2Z02dJj4PJm2Zg4xeJxo-NI9b8cRe8U0 See also Howard Friedman’s blog at http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2022/10/states-removal-of-16-year-old.html
Holding: An Indiana appellate court upheld the trial court's removal of a transgender minor from parents who refused to use preferred pronouns based on religious beliefs, finding that the child's health and welfare constituted a compelling state interest.
