Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is creating difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban, which is scheduled for 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.
Young people who are impacted by the ban are facing challenges in their everyday lives as they navigate being both adolescents and transgender individuals.
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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 their children, while others stayed behind and made sacrifices in order to travel out of state for necessary medical appointments.
There are still some people who have chosen to remain in Tennessee, but they have not completely dismissed the idea of leaving the state at some point in the
Families are feeling immense pressure as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that a decision in support of the ban, passed recently, could put their children’s care at risk, especially with the incoming Trump administration planning to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals’ lives.
Kristen Chapman, who relocated from Tennessee with her teenage daughter following the passing of a law, expressed the struggle of constantly having to explain that she did not choose this situation and there are no favorable choices. She likened the experience to a natural disaster impacting her family, as it alters her sense of well-being and self.
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 tells you who they are and what they need, it is important for you as a parent to be supportive of them.
The name is Kristen
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