The U.S. Supreme Court today issued its ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a challenge brought by three transgender adolescents, their families, and a Memphis-based medical provider against a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming hormone therapies for transgender people under 18.
The Court agreed with parts of the Sixth Circuit’s opinion that allowed the law to take effect, holding that Tennessee’s SB1 does not draw a sex-based (or a trans status-based) line and thus only necessitates deferential review by the courts. That means SB1 can remain in effect. Notably, however, the decision is based on the record in and context of the Tennessee case and therefore does not extend to other cases concerning discrimination based on transgender status.
Health care for transgender youth remains legal in Massachusetts.
Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, issued the following statement in response:
“This is a devastating loss for transgender youth, their parents, and their providers. We know that health care bans have harmful consequences, denying people essential, lifesaving health care and threatening the ability of every family to determine what’s best for them.
“While this is a deeply painful ruling, we still have powerful tools to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on LGBTQ people: The Court left undisturbed Supreme Court and lower court precedent that other examples of discrimination against transgender people are unlawful. The ACLU simply won't stop fighting – here in Massachusetts and nationwide – for the fundamental right of all people to be themselves: to be safe, to be loved, and to be given a chance to build the future they and their family deserve.”
For more information about U.S. v. Skrmetti, go to: https://www.aclu.org/cases/l-w-v-skrmetti
