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Updated: June 18, 2025 20:29
Top Takeaways The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Tennessee's highly controversial ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the law does not violate the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause, a significant shift in the controversy in the United States over transgender rights and healthcare limitations at the state level.
Background Context
Tennessee's legislation, enacted into law in 2023, prohibits physicians from prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapies to minors under age 18 for the purpose of gender transition.
The same drugs are allowed for other purposes, such as early onset puberty or birth defects.
The suit was launched by three transgender youth, their families, and a physician, supported by the Biden administration prior to the Trump administration reversing the federal stance.
Judicial Reasoning
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, emphasized that the law allows for ongoing medical disagreement and is not transgressing constitutional protections.
The court declined to apply its 2020 precedent that expanded workplace protections for transgender workers, which suggested a narrower scope of equal protection within healthcare environments.
Three liberal justices disagreed, warning that the ruling places transgender youth in line with political caprice and unequal protections.
Broader Implications
This decision effectively shields similar legislation in over two dozen states from judicial scrutiny, and could limit access to gender-affirming care for minors in a majority of the nation.
It also reflects a larger judicial tendency to cede to state legislatures on contentious healthcare and identity issues.
The ruling could have ramifications in upcoming transgender cases dealing with sports participation, utilization of public facilities, and federal funding of healthcare.
Political Undercurrents
The Trump administration, once again in office, has adopted a strict line on transgender matters, like efforts to restrict federal funding of gender-affirming care and exclude transgender troops from the military.
The action is part of an overall conservative push to reframe legal definitions of sex and gender in public policy.
Sources: CBS News, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The Tennessean, Reuters, Associated Press, MSN News.
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