A4TE Condemns Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Tennessee’s Trans Health Care Ban

[Washington, DC] - Today, the Supreme Court issued a disappointing ruling that upholds Tennessee’s SB1—a ban on transition-related healthcare for trans youth.  The Court sided with Tennessee to affirm the Sixth Circuit, agreeing that the law doesn’t discriminate on the basis of sex or transgender status and therefore only needs a legitimate justification to stand.

In response, Andy Marra, Executive Director of Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), issued the following statement:

“This is an incredibly painful day for transgender young people and their families who love and support them. The U.S. Supreme Court has failed in its most basic duty – to protect the rights and freedoms of vulnerable people from political overreach. By allowing this cruel and unnecessary ban to stand, the Court has abandoned Tennessee’s minors and families in favor of extremist politicians.

“This ruling will cause real harm for transgender children and families in Tennessee. Transgender youth who are denied access to evidence-based medical care will now face increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Parents and families who have done everything to provide care and support for their children are now being told by the Court that their children’s medical needs don’t matter and that their children should be treated as second-class citizens.

“A democratic government by and for the people should never undermine the needs of its most vulnerable—especially the needs of children and their families. It harms us all when government limits or erases children’s and families’ rights.

“This is not a total defeat. We still have powerful legal tools at our disposal. We will use them to fight the extremists’ relentless and perverse attacks on transgender people and to hold elected officials accountable for abusing their power. Today’s ruling may be a setback, but it does not end our work. We at A4TE remain committed to advancing equality for trans communities and will continue to work alongside families, medical experts, advocates, and allies across the country to challenge these bans from courthouses to Capitol Hill.”

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About A4TE

Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) is an organization that fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in the United States. Introduced in July 2024 after the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund and the National Center for Transgender Equality merged, A4TE is the largest trans-led advocacy organization in the U.S. and brings together experts, advocates, and communities to shift government and society toward an equitable future where trans people live joyful lives without barriers.