The families of transgender children in Tennessee are facing difficult decisions due to the state’s ban on certain types of medical treatment for transgender youth. The Supreme Court will be reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing families of transgender children to face difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is set to review a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has had a significant impact on the everyday lives of young people who are transgender, overshadowing their typical experiences during adolescence.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from Nashville
Some families decided to leave Tennessee after the state banned gender-transition care for children, while others stayed behind and made sacrifices to travel out of state for medical appointments. This included cutting back on expenses like vacations and Christmas shopping.
Even those who currently reside in Tennessee are 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 worry that if the ban is upheld, it could put their children’s care at risk, especially with the new Trump administration promising to enact restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved away from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, expressed the challenge of constantly having to explain that there were no ideal choices and that she did not choose the situation. She likened the experience to a natural disaster affecting her family, as it altered how they felt and where they felt comfortable.
Five families and three children agreed to be interviewed anonymously because they were worried about potential backlash and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, if your child tells you their true identity and needs, it is your responsibility as a parent to provide support and acceptance for them.
The name is Kristen
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