Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care 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.
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.
Due to the ban, young individuals who are transgender have had their typical experiences as adolescents impacted.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from the city
Some families quickly left Tennessee after the state banned gender-transition care for their children, leaving their homes and schools behind. Other families decided to stay, making sacrifices like reducing vacations and holiday spending to travel out of state for medical appointments.
Even those who have remained in Tennessee are considering the option of moving away in the future.
Families are feeling immense pressure as the Supreme Court considers a challenge to a 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 moved out of Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, explained the challenge of constantly having to deal with a situation where there are no good choices and having to adapt to a new way of life. She likened the experience to a natural disaster affecting her family, altering her sense of well-being and identity.
Five families’ parents 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 come to you and express their identity and needs.
The name is Kristen
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