The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law that restricts gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.
The law limits access to treatments such as hormone therapy and other medical procedures intended to assist transgender youth in transitioning.
The law was challenged on the grounds that it violates constitutional rights, specifically the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process.
The Supreme Court ruled that the law does not violate these provisions and allowed it to remain in effect.
Tennessee officials stated the law aims to protect minors from making irreversible medical decisions without fully understanding potential long-term effects.
Advocates challenging the law argued that denying gender-affirming care can increase psychological distress among transgender youth.
This law is part of a broader trend, with at least 20 states considering similar restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors.