Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is forcing families to make difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court will be reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has had a significant impact on the lives of young people who are transgender, as it has altered their typical experiences of adolescence.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
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Some families decided to leave Tennessee after the state banned gender-transition care for their children, quickly vacating their homes and withdrawing from school. Other families opted to stay, adjusting their budgets to prioritize traveling out of state for necessary doctor appointments.
Some residents who have chosen to remain in Tennessee are still considering the option of relocating elsewhere in the future.
Families are feeling extreme pressure as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could harm their ability to care for their children, especially with the new Trump administration promising to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, described the challenge of constantly having to explain that she didn’t choose this situation and that there are no good options available. She likened it to experiencing a natural disaster within her family, as it alters how she feels and where she feels comfortable.
Parents from five different families, along with 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 shares their identity and needs with you, as a parent, it is your responsibility to provide them with support.
The name is Kristen
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