Summary
The Supreme Court appeared likely to uphold Tennessee’s 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for minors, citing concerns about evolving medical research and deferring to state lawmakers.
The Biden administration and families argue the law discriminates based on sex and transgender status, violating the Equal Protection Clause. Conservative justices, however, questioned federal intervention in state policies.
The case focuses on whether Tennessee’s law should face heightened judicial scrutiny. A ruling could affect similar bans in 24 states.
A decision, expected by June, will shape the legal landscape for transgender rights and medical care nationwide.
What I’m wondering is what a child with precocious puberty is going to do in Tennessee. Are we going to see 5-year-old girls with breasts and 8-year-old boys with beards in Memphis?
To be fair, SB1 addresses medical function. Kids would be allowed to receive puberty blockers to address medical diagnosis of precocious puberty, but not to address gender dysphoria. The foundation of the state’s argument is that precocious puberty is a legitimate medical condition and gender dysphoria (which they repeatedly and dismissively refer to as “psychological stress”) is not.
Never mind that neither lawmakers or “the democratic process” is qualified to, or should be in the business of, determining what is and is not a legitimate medical condition.