Voe v. Mansfield FAQ

What is this case about?

The case challenges North Carolina’s “Act to Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures For Minors” (“HB 808”), a cruel law which took effect August 16, 2023 immediately upon the legislature’s override of the governor’s veto. With limited exemptions, HB 808 prohibits medical professionals from providing gender-affirming medical care to transgender adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The law also prohibits the use of state funds, directly or indirectly, to support gender-affirming care or its coverage by a governmental health plan. Transgender adolescents who were already receiving necessary and appropriate care as of August 1 are allowed to continue with their course of treatment under some circumstances.

Who are the plaintiffs?

The plaintiffs are the family of a transgender adolescent, who are proceeding anonymously, North Carolina family physician Dr. Riley Smith, and two national membership organizations with members in North Carolina, PFLAG National and GLMA.

What has been the timeline for this case to date?

On June 29, North Carolina’s Republican-controlled House passed H.B. 808 following the state Senate vote earlier that week. A week later, on July 5, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the measure alongside two other anti-LGBT bills, one banning transgender students from interscholastic sports and second banning schools from incorporating LGBTQ-related topics in all classroom teaching.  On August 16, the state legislature overrode Gov. Cooper’s veto, and the ban took effect immediately.

Why is PFLAG a plaintiff in this case?

Every person, transgender or not, does better when they can get the health care they need when they need it. PFLAG is suing to block H.B. 808 and stop it from depriving transgender adolescents of access to medically necessary, evidence-based medical care.

Why isn’t PFLAG taking legal action in my home state?

This is a time of unprecedented attacks on our community, with 82 anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws passing in states around the country this year alone. There simply is not capacity at this particular moment to challenge each and every one of these laws in court because of the volume of these discriminatory laws.

This does not mean your state and your community are being left behind. There are many lawsuits happening across the country as legal advocates work strategically to fend off these attacks on transgender kids, their families, and their healthcare and ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone. The legal strategies for fighting those laws vary based on a huge number of factors, but the goal of every one of those lawsuits is to prevent and minimize the harm these kids will experience no matter the odds.

PFLAG National does not independently decide where to bring suit but, instead, works with legal advocates as they begin to consider the strategies. For more information about particular lawsuits, we encourage you to reach out to the legal advocates for further support. These include Lambda Legal and ACLU at the national and state levels.

PFLAG National plays a critical role in supporting and protecting those families, regardless of whether the organization formally serves as a plaintiff in litigation in any given state.

What does it mean to be a member of PFLAG National?

Being a member of PFLAG is ultimately about leading with love, for yourself, for your family, and for the LGBTQ+ community. PFLAG supports families, educates allies, and advocates for equality through a vast network of supporters, members, and chapters across the country, including 16 chapters in North Carolina. People who join PFLAG enjoy the community of participating in local meetings and events, educational opportunities, Pride celebrations, workshops, panels, family programming and so much more. PFLAG members have joined and paid dues either to their local PFLAG chapter or directly to PFLAG National; both of these make you a member of PFLAG.

If I am a parent of a trans kid in North Carolina and a member of my local PFLAG chapter, is my family covered by this case?

PFLAG National seeks to protect all of its members in North Carolina through this case.  If the court agrees that we can participate on behalf of our members, we anticipate that will extend to all dues-paying members of PFLAG National in North Carolina.

How do I become a member of PFLAG National?

PFLAG is for LGBTQ+ people, their parents, families, and allies. All families in North Carolina that include transgender loved ones in particular are encouraged to join PFLAG National. There are two ways to become a member:

1. You can join your local chapter in North Carolina by paying their membership fee, part of which will come to PFLAG National and make you a member of both the national organization and your local chapter; or
2. You can join PFLAG National directly.

Visit Become a Member to learn more about both options and choose which is right for you. Have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].

I do not have the personal means to pay for a PFLAG National membership. Is there financial support for me to join? And if so, how do I access that support?

We are happy to work with families on a case-by-case basis to ensure they are able to become PFLAG members. Please contact us at [email protected] for support.