Supreme Court weighs gender-affirming care for minors

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold a Tennessee ban on minors receiving gender transition-related medical care.

The case before the justices Wednesday could impact similar laws in half the country, along with a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people.

“They should mind their own business,” said Jolene Galpin, who traveled to the high court from Maryland in honor of her transgender daughter. “This is our child.”

Galpin said her daughter deserves access to this care for her physical and mental health.

“Gender-affirming care is lifesaving for transgender youth,” Galpin said. 

However, Buzz Webb, who traveled from North Carolina for the arguments, said transitioning would have ruined her life.

“I look back and have no idea what 57-year-old me would look like today had they put me on puberty blockers and done unnecessary surgeries and removed body parts,” Webb said. 

Webb said transitioning would have stolen her fertility and caused medical issues like blood clots and tumors.

“That’s what they’re doing to an entire generation of gay kids,” Webb said.

Based on the justices’ questions, the three liberals seemed solidly on the side of the families who are challenging the Tennessee law while the six conservatives seemed skeptical of their argument.

“No matter what happens, we will keep fighting,” said Chase Strangio, the co-director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ and HIV Project.

Strangio became the first openly transgender lawyer to make arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court as he represented the families.

“The Constitution protects trans people just like it protects everyone else,” Strangio said.

But Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti defended his state’s law.

“The evidence shows that the large majority of kids dealing with gender dysphoria will grow out of it unless they’re put on these medications,” Skrmetti said.

Skrmetti could not say though how many Tennessee kids would be impacted by the ban.

The justices should issue their decision in this case by early summer.