Summary
Chase Strangio will become the first openly transgender attorney to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, representing families challenging Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming health care for minors.
Tennessee defends the law as protecting children from premature medical decisions, while Strangio argues the ban denies critical care endorsed by major medical groups.
The case comes amid growing restrictions on transgender rights nationwide.
Strangio, an ACLU lawyer, emphasizes the harm of denying necessary treatments, drawing from personal experience.
A decision is expected by summer, with potential policy shifts under the next administration.
Lets be clear here. This is not a “health care ban for minors”. If you are under 18 and you are looking for gender related care - which can include psychological support you require the consent of all involved parents and guardians and a licenced medical professional.
The average team who all have to agree for a young trans person’s gender health to go forward and continue forward is as follows.
Guardians : need to be supportive, willing and be capable to demonstrate informed consent.
Pediatric Doctor : Serves as the baseline General practitioner since a young person’s body development has specific differences from an adult.
Psychiatric Doctor : To repeatedly assess whether the young person is a good candidate and adhering to diagnostic frameworks of similar cases to lessen risks should there appear to be any oddities or reticence in continuing.
Social Case Worker : Investigates the child’s relationship between parents and guardians to make sure coercion is not at play.
Endocrinologist : In the event of pursuing hormones or blockers this specialist observes the process and paitents must routinely go in to make sure no adverse effects are occurring.
Any of these parties may revoke their endorsement for treatment if something appears to not be going to plan. It is this panel OF ADULTS who consult and operate with informed medical consent that these laws are stripping the choices to pursue recognized treatment plans from. Not minors who are by default powerless if these adults do not align with their wishes.