This morning the Supreme Court of the United States issued their decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti and determined that a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for people under 18 does not violate the Equal Protection Clause. While this does not affect access to gender affirming care in states without bans, this allows bans to continue in states where they are in effect. Dr. Jamila Perritt, ob/gyn in DC and President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:
“Today, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that said bans on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth do not violate the Equal Protection Clause. Since the start of the year, we have seen hundreds of anti-trans bills introduced into legislation, multiple executive orders signed to ban gender-affirming care, a 400-page junk science report from the Department of Health and Human Services, and budget bills that insidiously target the most vulnerable members of our community.
Young people have a right to the same agency and autonomy as all people.
“Make no mistake, this decision is not an isolated event, but rather part of an intentional political strategy dedicated to reinforcing gender norms, perpetuating inequality, and attempting to erase queer and transgender people from our society. As a physician who has long provided comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care, I have seen this before. Trump hand selected this Supreme Court to uphold the same fundamentalist playbook that enforces to the priorities of anti-abortion extremists and undermines the agency and bodily autonomy of individuals that do not align with their narrow view the world.
“As a physician with decades of experience, I trust my patients, including young people, to make their own health care decisions. It is my role to provide them with the information needed to do so. Young people have a right to the same agency and autonomy as all people. Lawmakers and politicians have no place in health care decision making.
The rhetoric suggesting that this decision is designed to protect and support queer and questioning youth is a lie.
“Let me be as direct as possible: the impact from this SCOTUS decision will harm transgender youth and criminalize providers for offering care to those who need it. Research has shown that access to gender affirming care is lifesaving for many young people, reducing the rates of depression suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Limiting or eliminating this care will have deadly consequences for these communities. The rhetoric suggesting that this decision is designed to protect and support queer and questioning youth is a lie. In fact, it does the exact opposite.
“We must demand that states pass measures to validate protect queer and trans youth. We must demand Congress to speak out against transphobia and introduce proactive legislation that supports all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. No matter their age or gender, everyone deserves access to lifesaving, compassionate, and affirming health care, especially queer and trans youth.”
