Supreme Court Allows Tennessee Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors, Marking Setback for Transgender Rights
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors to remain in effect, dealing a significant blow to LGBTQ+ advocates and marking a major shift in the national legal battle over transgender rights.
The justices declined to block the law, which prohibits doctors from providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or transition-related surgeries to individuals under 18. The decision allows Tennessee’s restrictions to continue while legal challenges work their way through the courts.
The ruling is seen as a setback for transgender youth and their families, many of whom have argued that such treatments are essential to mental health and well-being. Critics of the ban, including medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have warned that denying care could lead to increased rates of depression and suicide among trans youth.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the ruling, saying the state has the right to regulate medical treatments for minors. “This law is about protecting children,” he said in a statement.
Supporters of the law argue that minors are too young to make permanent decisions about their gender identity and that such care should be restricted until adulthood.
Meanwhile, civil rights groups condemned the court’s decision. “The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene puts thousands of trans youth at risk,” said Chase Strangio, an attorney with the ACLU. “We will continue fighting to overturn these laws in the courts.”
Tennessee is one of more than 20 states that have passed laws limiting or banning gender-affirming care for minors in recent years. Monday’s decision could influence similar legal battles across the country, potentially setting the stage for a broader showdown over transgender rights at the nation’s highest court.
The case is expected to continue through the lower courts, but for now, Tennessee’s ban remains in force.
