Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing families to make 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 causing difficult decisions for families with transgender children. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has had a significant impact on the daily lives of young people who are transgender, causing their usual experiences during adolescence to be disrupted.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from Nashville
Some families quickly left Tennessee after the state banned gender-transition care for their children, while others decided to stay and adjusted their budgets to afford traveling out of state for necessary medical appointments.
Some residents who have chosen to remain in Tennessee have admitted that they are still considering the option of moving away in the future.
Families are feeling extreme pressure as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They worry that if the ban is upheld, it could negatively impact the care their children receive, especially with the Trump administration planning to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was passed, explained that living under such circumstances forces you to adopt a new mindset. It feels like a crisis has occurred within your family, altering your sense of self and comfort. Kristen expressed the challenge of constantly having to explain that the situation was not a choice and that there are no favorable solutions available.
Five families and three children agreed to participate in interviews on the condition of anonymity due to fears of revenge and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, when your child expresses their identity and needs to you, your role as a parent is to provide them with support.
The name is Kristen
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