Tennessee’s ban on certain medical treatments for transgender youth is causing families of transgender children to face difficult decisions. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to this ban.
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 ban has significantly impacted the everyday lives of young people who identify as transgender, causing their typical adolescent experiences to be overshadowed by this aspect of their identity.
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Written by Emily Cochrane
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Some families decided to leave immediately after Tennessee prohibited gender-transition care for their children, while others stayed behind and made sacrifices like reducing their expenses to afford traveling out of state for doctor appointments.
Even those who have chosen to remain in Tennessee are still considering the option of relocating to a different place in the future.
Families are feeling extremely anxious as the Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments regarding a challenge to a Tennessee law. They are worried that if the ban is upheld, it could negatively impact the care of their children, especially with the new administration’s plans to impose restrictions on transgender individuals.
Kristen Chapman, who moved out of Tennessee with her teenage daughter after the law was passed, mentioned that it requires a significant adjustment to constantly explain that the situation was not chosen and there are no favorable alternatives. She compared the experience to a natural disaster affecting the family dynamics and creating a sense of displacement.
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 your responsibility as a parent to provide them with support.
The name Kristen Chapman
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