Parents Struggle Amid State Bans on Transgender Health Care
The Supreme Court looms large in the fight for transgender rights as families like Sarah’s face mounting challenges. For Sarah, a mother from Tennessee, the fight to secure gender-affirming care for her transgender son has meant long journeys across state lines. When her state banned such care for minors, she began traveling hundreds of miles to North Carolina. However, her relief was short-lived when North Carolina enacted a similar ban, leaving Ohio—over 400 miles away—as the nearest option. Fortunately, North Carolina’s law allowed treatment to continue for those already receiving care.
Sarah’s plight highlights the broader struggle faced by parents and transgender communities across the United States. Many families have gone to great lengths—spending life savings and incurring debt—to access care in states without bans. The issue will come under national scrutiny as the Supreme Court hears arguments in US v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee’s law prohibiting puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. Advocates argue these treatments are medically necessary and constitutionally protected, while the state contends they require more regulation due to potential lifelong impacts.
Nationwide Implications of the Supreme Court’s Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could invalidate similar bans nationwide, offering a significant victory for transgender rights advocates. Legal experts believe it could establish that trans people are protected from discrimination under the Constitution’s equal protection clause. This decision could bolster efforts to challenge anti-trans laws across the country, where 26 states have already passed restrictions on gender-affirming care.
Advocates emphasize the transformative effect of such care on transgender youth. Without it, untreated gender dysphoria can lead to severe mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Dr. Maurice Garcia, a transgender health expert, notes that access to care significantly reduces these risks and allows trans youth to live more fulfilling lives.
However, even if the ban is struck down, advocates warn that the fight is far from over. States may find alternative ways to restrict access, as seen in Arkansas, where a “backdoor ban” allows extended malpractice claims against doctors providing gender-affirming care.
Potential Consequences of Upholding the Ban
If the court upholds Tennessee’s law, it could pave the way for expanded restrictions on transgender health care nationwide. Families in states with bans already face severe challenges, with many considering relocating to provide necessary care for their children. Surveys show nearly half of transgender individuals and their families have considered moving due to restrictive laws. Mental health concerns are paramount, as untreated gender dysphoria can result in extreme distress and higher rates of suicidality among trans youth.
Legal experts warn that a ruling in favor of Tennessee could also embolden conservative lawmakers to extend restrictions to transgender adults and other areas of health care, including abortion and birth control. Such a decision may rely on precedents like Dobbs v. Jackson, which allowed states to regulate abortion without heightened judicial scrutiny.
No matter the outcome, the case underscores the resilience of transgender communities. Advocates like Shawn Meerkamper of the Transgender Law Center remain committed to continuing the fight for equal rights, emphasizing that, despite the challenges, the community will persist in its struggle for dignity and access to care.