Recently, a state law was enacted that prohibits hormone therapy and puberty blockers for minors, with civil penalties imposed on doctors who do not comply. This law is part of a trend of increasing state legislation aimed at transgender care.
The Biden administration and families of transgender minors have challenged similar laws in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Supreme Court has decided to hear the challenge filed by the Biden administration specifically in Tennessee.
In a significant development in September 2023, the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati overturned a district court ruling that had previously prevented the enforcement of the ban on gender-affirming care. This decision effectively allowed the ban to be implemented.
Supporters of the ban, primarily Republican lawmakers, argue that decisions regarding transgender care should be deferred until individuals reach adulthood. On the other hand, opponents contend that these laws not only infringe upon the civil rights of transgender youth but also encroach on parents' rights to make medical decisions for their children.
According to Tennessee's law, medical providers are prohibited from performing procedures that assist minors in identifying with a gender inconsistent with their biological sex or addressing distress related to gender identity discordance.
