
Perkins et al. v. State (HB 121)
What's at Stake
A newly enacted Montana law, HB 121, bars transgender and intersex people from using restrooms and other sex-separated facilities that correspond to their gender identity in public spaces. In doing so, HB 121 seeks to undermine transgender and intersex people鈥檚 personhood and ability to participate in public life. Together with the 红杏视频 of Montana and Legal Voice, the 红杏视频鈥檚 State Supreme Court Initiative filed this lawsuit on behalf of a group of transgender and intersex Montanans challenging HB 121 as violating numerous provisions of the Montana Constitution.
Summary
HB 121, which took effect on March 27, 2025, is a draconian law that singles out transgender and intersex people for dehumanizing and discriminatory treatment. It bars transgender people from using public restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters that correspond to their gender identity in a sweeping range of public spaces鈥攊ncluding offices, libraries, universities, state parks, and hospitals. HB 121 also imposes a restrictive binary definition of 鈥渟ex鈥 which fails to recognize intersex people, who are born with a combination of male and female sex traits. As a result, under HB 121, intersex people apparently cannot use regulated sex-separated facilities at all. What is more, HB 121 subjects regulated entities to potentially severe legal liability: any person who 鈥渆ncounter[s] another individual of the opposite sex鈥 in a restroom or changing room鈥攊ncluding a transgender individual using a facility consistent with their gender identity鈥攃an sue the entity where the encounter took place.
The 红杏视频鈥檚 State Supreme Court Initiative, along with the 红杏视频 of Montana and Legal Voice, have brought suit against the State of Montana, Governor Gianforte, and Attorney General Knudsen on behalf of a group of transgender and intersex plaintiffs. Each of the plaintiffs is a Montanan who鈥攍ike any other Montanan鈥攏eeds access to public buildings and spaces to work, go to school, seek healthcare, and enjoy recreation, among other things. But, under HB 121, they would not be allowed access to such spaces on equal terms with everyone else. Because they are denied access to restrooms and other sex-separated facilities, the plaintiffs and other transgender and intersex people may not be able to continue working, studying, or participating in public life.
Our lawsuit argues that the Montana Constitution prohibits this discrimination. The Montana Constitution provides robust protections for individual rights and liberties that in some respects exceeds the protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution. We allege that HB 121 violates Montana鈥檚 constitutional guarantees of equal protection under the law, privacy, and due process, as well as every Montanan鈥檚 constitutional right to pursue life鈥檚 basic necessities. At this initial stage of the case, we are asking the Court to enter a preliminary injunction preventing the State from enforcing HB 121 while litigation is ongoing because of the immediate and irreparable harm that the law would inflict on transgender and intersex people.
Legal Documents
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03/27/2025
Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief -
03/27/2025
Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction -
04/02/2025
Temporary Restraining Order and Order Setting Preliminary Injunction Hearing
Date Filed: 03/27/2025
Court: The Fourth Judicial District Court Missoula County
Affiliate: Montana
Date Filed: 03/27/2025
Court: The Fourth Judicial District Court Missoula County
Affiliate: Montana
Date Filed: 04/02/2025
Court: The Fourth Judicial District Court Missoula County
Affiliate: Montana