“The Supreme Court’s decision in US v. Skrmetti to uphold Tennessee’s ban on transgender health care for minors is outrageous and alarming—and could compromise the rights, health and well-being of trans youth in many states across the country.
“Conservative justices on the Court have once again decided to erode bodily autonomy by clearing the way for states that already ban gender affirming care for youth to maintain those discriminatory policies. The Dobbs decision—which was cited multiple times in Tennessee’s argument in this case—has wreaked havoc on abortion rights with 13 states currently enforcing total bans. The Skrmetti decision could have a similarly devastating impact on access to transgender health care, creating a patchwork of access across the country depending on where you live.
“Anti-trans and anti-abortion politicians are following the same playbook. Conservative policymakers will continue their relentless attacks on our bodily autonomy and against communities already marginalized by our health care system—including trans youth, who face huge barriers to getting the care they need. Guttmacher data show that young people and LGBTQ people face unique obstacles when seeking abortion care—and many of these barriers, like lack of financial resources or transportation, extend to trans health care access as well.
“Trans youth deserve better. Policymakers at all levels of government must enact policies that protect our bodily autonomy and ensure everyone can access the care they need and deserve.”