Families with 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 treatments for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families with transgender children. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has had a significant impact on the daily lives of young people who are transgender, causing their typical teenage experiences to be disrupted.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
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Some families quickly left their homes and withdrew their children from school when Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for minors. Other families decided to stay, making sacrifices like reducing vacations and holiday spending in order to travel out of state for necessary medical appointments.
Some people who have chosen to remain in Tennessee have not completely dismissed the idea of moving away from the state at some point in the future.
Families are feeling immense pressure as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could impact the care of their children, especially with the upcoming Trump administration promising restrictions on transgender rights.
Kristen Chapman, who moved from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was passed, explained that dealing with a situation where there are no good options makes you adopt a new mindset. It feels like a natural disaster has occurred within your family, altering how you behave and where you feel comfortable.
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 expresses their true identity and needs to you, it is important as a parent to provide them with support and acceptance.
Kristen Chapman
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