US Supreme Court upholds Tennessee ban on transgender youth care; major blow to trans rights; paves way for similar laws in 26 states
US Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, marking a major setback for transgender rights across the country.
The 6-3 ruling allows the state's restrictions to remain in place, setting a precedent that could shield similar laws in 26 other states from legal challenges.
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The decision marks a major victory for Republican-led efforts, many backed by US President Donald Trump's administration, to limit access to medical treatments for transgender youth.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the conservative majority, stated that the law banning puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender minors does not violate the Constitution's equal protection clause, which requires the government to treat people in similar situations equally.
"This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy, and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field. The voices in these debates raise sincere concerns; the implications for all are profound," Roberts wrote.
"The Equal Protection Clause does not resolve these disagreements. Nor does it afford us license to decide them as we see best," Roberts added.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, speaking for the court's three liberal justices, delivered a dissenting opinion in the courtroom, stating, "By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.
In sadness, I dissent."
She noted that the legislation also restricts parents' authority regarding their children's healthcare decisions.
The ruling occurs amidst various federal and state initiatives to regulate transgender individuals' lives, including their participation in sports competitions and bathroom access.
Earlier in April, Trump's administration initiated legal action against Maine for resisting the government's initiative to exclude transgender athletes from girls sports.
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The Republican president has additionally sought to prevent federal funding for gender-affirming medical care for individuals under 19, advocating instead for exclusive use of talk therapy for young transgender individuals.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has permitted his dismissal of transgender service members from the military, whilst legal proceedings continue. The president implemented an additional order defining sexes exclusively as male and female.
The debate over transgender rights intensified in Congress after Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to the US House of Representatives.
Her historic win drew backlash from some Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Nancy Mace, who questioned which bathroom she would be allowed to use.
Meanwhile, the broader battle over gender-affirming care has led to disruptions in healthcare access.
Even in states where such care remains legal, providers are growing cautious. Following a Trump-era executive order, some institutions have begun scaling back services.
Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling upholding Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors does not affect the landmark 2020 decision that protects LGBTQ workers under federal anti-discrimination laws.
According to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, approximately 300,000 teens (ages 13–17) and 1.3 million adults identify as transgender in the US, the Associated Press reported.
When the case was argued in December, the Biden administration and families of transgender youth urged the court to strike down Tennessee's ban, calling it unconstitutional and discriminatory.
They pointed out that the law bans certain treatments for transgender minors while allowing the same procedures for other medical purposes. After President Trump took office, however, the Justice Department reversed its position, backing the ban.
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