Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is causing families to face difficult decisions. 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 identify as transgender, causing their typical adolescent experiences to be disrupted by this additional factor.
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Authored by Emily Cochr
Writing from the city
After Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for children, some families quickly left the state, leaving their homes and removing their children from school. Other families decided to stay, adjusting their budgets to prioritize trips to out-of-state doctors for their children’s care, even cutting back on vacations and Christmas expenses.
Some people who have chosen to remain in Tennessee are still considering the option of moving away in the future.
Families are feeling very anxious as the Supreme Court listens to arguments about a Tennessee law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could make it even harder to provide care for their children, especially with the Trump administration planning to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who relocated from Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was enacted, expressed the challenges of constantly having to explain that she didn’t choose her situation and that there are no favorable choices available. She likened the experience to a natural disaster impacting her family, altering her sense of self and comfort.
Five families and three children agreed to be interviewed on the condition of anonymity due to fears of facing retaliation and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, when your child confides in you about their identity and needs, it is your responsibility as a parent to offer them your support.
The name Kristen Chapman
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