Families with transgender children in Tennessee are facing difficult decisions due to the state’s ban on certain types of medical care 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 difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to this ban on Wednesday.
The ban has had a significant impact on the lives of young people who are transgender, as it has affected their typical experiences during adolescence.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
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Some families left quickly after Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for their children, leaving their homes and schools. Others decided to stay, saving money by reducing vacations and holiday expenses in order to travel out of state for medical appointments.
Some individuals who have chosen to remain in Tennessee have not completely dismissed the idea of moving away from the state at some point in the future.
Families are feeling extremely anxious as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that a decision in support of the ban, which was approved last year, could make it even harder to access care for their children. This concern is heightened by the fact that the incoming Trump administration has promised to enforce limitations on the rights of transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman expressed that when faced with limited choices due to circumstances beyond your control, such as leaving Tennessee after a new law was passed, it can feel like being thrust into a completely unfamiliar way of life. This can be akin to experiencing a personal crisis or natural disaster within your family, altering your sense of self and comfort within your surroundings.
Five families and three children agreed to participate in interviews on the condition of anonymity, expressing fears of potential retaliation and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, if your child tells you about their identity and needs, it is important for you as a parent to offer them support and encouragement.
Kristen Chapman
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