Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth has put families in a difficult position, leading to tough decisions. The Supreme Court is set to review a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has impacted children and teenagers, causing their typical adolescent experiences to be different because they are transgender.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from the city
Upon Tennessee’s decision to prohibit gender-transition care for children, some families promptly departed, leaving behind their homes and withdrawing their children from school. Those who stayed behind made sacrifices such as reducing vacation and holiday expenses in order to travel out of state for necessary medical appointments.
Some people who have chosen to remain in Tennessee are still considering the option of moving away 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 negatively impact the care their children receive, especially with the new Trump administration promising to enforce more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was passed, expressed the challenges of constantly having to explain that there were no good choices in the situation. She likened the experience to a natural disaster affecting her family, altering their sense of well-being and identity.
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, when your child expresses their identity and needs to you, it is your responsibility as a parent to provide them with support.
The name Kristen Chapman
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