The families of transgender children in Tennessee are facing difficult decisions due to the state’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing families of transgender children to face difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
The ban has had a significant impact on the daily lives of young people who identify as transgender, causing them to feel like their typical experiences of growing up are being disrupted.
Backed by
Authored by Emily Cochr
Writing from Nashville
Some families left immediately after Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for their children, leading to empty homes and children being withdrawn from school. Other families decided to stay, adjusting their budgets by reducing vacation and holiday spending in order to travel out of state for medical appointments.
Even those who have chosen to remain in Tennessee are open to the idea of relocating elsewhere in the future.
Families are feeling extremely anxious as the Supreme Court considers a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that a decision in favor of the ban, which was enacted last year, could make it even harder to provide care for their children. This concern is heightened by the Trump administration’s promise to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved away from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, explained that dealing with the situation feels like being forced to adapt to a new way of living. She compared it to a natural disaster occurring within the family, causing a shift in emotions and comfort levels.
Five families and three children agreed to participate in interviews on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, if your child is honest with you about their identity and needs, it is your responsibility as a parent to provide them with support.
The name Kristen Chapman
We are experiencing difficulties accessing the content of the article.
Kindly activate JavaScript in the settings of your web browser.
We appreciate your understanding as we check your access. If you are currently in Reader mode, please exit and sign in to your Times account, or consider subscribing to access all of The Times content.
We appreciate your understanding as we confirm your access.
Are you already a member? Please sign in.
Interested in having access to all of The Times content? Subscribe now
Prom
Index of Website
Navigation for Site Information