Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is putting families in a difficult position. 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 lives of children and teenagers who identify as transgender, as it has disrupted their typical experiences during adolescence.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Live from Nashville
Some families left quickly after Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for their children, resulting in empty homes and children being pulled out of school. Other families decided to stay, adjusting their budgets by reducing vacation and Christmas expenses in order to travel out of state for necessary doctor appointments.
Some individuals who have chosen to remain in Tennessee for now are still open to the idea of moving away at some point in the future.
Families are feeling immense pressure as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to Tennessee’s law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could put their children’s care at risk, especially with the new Trump administration planning to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who left Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was passed, explained that dealing with the situation made her feel like she had to adapt to a new way of living. She described it as similar to experiencing a natural disaster within her family, as it altered her sense of normalcy and well-being.
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 tells you who they are and what they need, as a parent, it is your responsibility to support them in that.
The name Kristen Chapman
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