A federal judge says the mothers of three transgender teen boys who sued a Southwest Ohio judge over his refusal to grant name changes should have filed an appeal, not a civil complaint.
reports Cincinnati-based U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman on Tuesday ordered the case dismissed and stricken from the docket, a result sought by Warren County Judge Joe Kirby's attorneys.
The lawsuit filed in August said Kirby refused the name change request of 15-year-old Elliott Whitaker, saying he should wait until he鈥檚 18. Jennifer Saul sued on behalf of her 15-year-old son, and a woman listed as Jane Doe sued for her 17-year-old son. Both said they feared Kirby would reject their name change petitions as well.
All three teens receive therapy and medical treatment for gender dysphoria, and their doctors support their name changes.
A message seeking comment was left with the attorney for the teens' mothers Thursday.
