Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing families of transgender children to make difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing families to make difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is set to review a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has had a significant impact on children and teenagers, as their typical experiences of growing up are being influenced by the fact that they identify as transgender.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from the city
After Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for children, the initial families left quickly, vacating their homes and withdrawing their kids from school. Some families decided to stay, reducing their expenses on holidays and gifts to afford traveling out of state for medical appointments.
Some people who have chosen to remain in Tennessee are still considering the option of relocating in the future.
Families are feeling extremely anxious as the Supreme Court considers a challenge to the Tennessee law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could put their children’s care at risk, especially with the incoming Trump administration promising to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who relocated from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, expressed the challenge of constantly having to explain that she did not choose the situation and there are no favorable choices available. She likened the experience to a natural disaster within the family, altering their sense of normalcy 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.
In my opinion, as a parent, it is important to support your child when they express their identity and needs to you.
The name is Kristen
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