Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families with transgender children. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
The ban has impacted children and teenagers, causing their typical teenage experiences to be influenced by their transgender identity as well.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from the city
When Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for children, some families promptly left their homes and withdrew their children from school. Others decided to stay, adjusting their finances to afford trips out of state for necessary medical appointments.
There are people who have chosen to remain in Tennessee for now, but they are not completely dismissing the idea of moving away from the state in the future
Families are feeling immense pressure as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to the Tennessee law. They are concerned that if the ban is upheld, it could negatively impact their ability to care for their transgender children, especially with the incoming Trump administration promising to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who relocated from Tennessee with her teenage daughter following the passing of the law, expressed the challenges of constantly having to explain that she did not choose the situation and there are no good choices available. She likened the experience to a natural disaster affecting her family, as it alters her 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 comes to you and expresses their identity and needs, it is important for you as a parent to provide them with support.
The name Kristen Chapman
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