Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing families of transgender children to face difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is putting families in a difficult position. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has impacted the lives of children and teenagers who are transgender, causing their typical adolescent experiences to be influenced by their transgender identity.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
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Some families quickly left their homes and withdrew their children from school following Tennessee’s decision to prohibit gender-transition care. Other families decided to stay, sacrificing vacations and holiday expenses in order to attend out-of-state doctor appointments.
Some individuals who have chosen to remain in Tennessee have not completely dismissed the idea of relocating elsewhere in the future.
This is why families are feeling extremely anxious as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to the Tennessee law. They are concerned that a decision supporting the ban could make it even more difficult to ensure proper care for their children, especially with the potential for the incoming Trump administration to implement more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved away from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, described the experience as having to adapt to a new way of life where one is constantly faced with limited choices and the need to explain that they didn’t choose the situation they are in. She compared it to experiencing a natural disaster within the family, as it alters one’s sense of self and comfort.
Five families and three children agreed to be interviewed on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, if your child comes to you and expresses their identity and needs, as a parent, it is important to provide them with support.
The name Kristen Chapman
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