Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families with transgender children. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court is currently considering a legal challenge to this ban.
The ban has had a significant impact on the children and teenagers who are transgender, causing their typical adolescent experiences to be overshadowed.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
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After Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for children, some families decided to leave immediately, vacating their homes and withdrawing their children from school. Others opted to stay, sacrificing holidays and leisure activities in order to travel out of state for necessary medical appointments.
Some individuals who have chosen to remain in Tennessee have not completely dismissed the idea of relocating in the future.
Families are feeling very anxious as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could make it even harder to care for their children, especially with the incoming Trump administration planning to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who relocated from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, expressed how difficult it is to constantly explain that she did not choose this situation and has no good options. She likened the experience to a natural disaster occurring within her family, altering her sense of self and comfort.
Five families and three children agreed to participate in interviews on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation and ongoing harassment.
I believe that as a parent, it is important to support your child when they come to you expressing who they are and what they need.
The name Kristen Chapman
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