Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee Ban on Transgender Treatments for Minors

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on transgender treatments for minors, a move the White House hailed as "a huge victory for America's children." The 6-3 ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti affirmed that Tennessee's SB 1, which prohibits medical treatments allowing minors to identify with a gender inconsistent with their biological sex, does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt passionately defended the ruling, emphasizing that "young, minor children should not be subjected to irreversible procedures." She praised Tennessee's efforts and highlighted the Trump administration's strong stance, including executive orders aimed at safeguarding youth from such treatments.

The case, sparked by three transgender minors and their families, saw the Biden administration initially challenge the law, only for the Trump administration to later oppose that position. Chief Justice John Roberts, in the majority opinion, noted the law did not trigger heightened scrutiny, acknowledging the "fierce scientific and policy debates" surrounding these treatments.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti celebrated the ruling, crediting the state's bipartisan legislature for prioritizing children's well-being against significant opposition from activist groups and even Hollywood. The decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing national debate over transgender rights and medical interventions for minors.