Tennessee’s ban on certain medical care for transgender youth is causing difficult decisions for families with transgender children. The Supreme Court is considering a legal challenge to the 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 currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
The young individuals impacted by the ban are facing challenges in their teenage years, as they are also identifying as transgender. Their everyday experiences are being greatly influenced by this aspect of their identity. Photo by Lucy Garrett for The New York Times.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
Writing from the city
After Tennessee outlawed gender-transition care for minors, some families chose to leave immediately, leaving their homes and withdrawing their children from school. Others decided to stay, making sacrifices such as reducing vacations and holiday spending in order to travel out of state for medical appointments.
Some people who currently live in Tennessee are considering the option of moving out in the future, even though they have not made a definite decision yet.
Families are feeling extremely anxious as the Supreme Court reviews a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are concerned that a decision supporting the ban, which was passed recently, could worsen the healthcare options available for their children, especially with the incoming Trump administration planning to impose more restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who left Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was passed, expressed the challenges of constantly having to explain that she didn’t choose her situation and there are no good options. She compared the experience to a natural disaster that alters how you behave and where you feel comfortable.
Parents from five different families, along with three children, were willing to participate in interviews on the condition of anonymity. They expressed worry about potential backlash and ongoing harassment.
In my opinion, as a parent, it is important to support your child when they come to you expressing their identity and needs.
The name is Kristen
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