Official Statement on Supreme Court Attack on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

The Boston Women’s Fund is both saddened and enraged by the Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender affirming care for trans youth. The court’s failure to stand up for transgender people will endanger the lives of countless youth who know who they are and deserve access to medical care that could support their ability to thrive.

While this ruling does not impact access to gender affirmaing care in Massachusetts and other states where such care is presently legal, we are concerned that it could influence other lawsuits regarding trans youth and embolden states to enact deeper healthcare-related discrimination.

Gender-affirming care is life-saving care, and this ruling is a devastating step backward. A study by the Trevor Project showed that anti-trans laws increase suicide attempts by transgender and non-binary youth by 72%. This Supreme Court decision comes just hours after the Trump Administration ordered the LGBTQ youth suicide hotline to be shut down within 30 days. 

The Boston Women’s Fund continues to stand with our partners in defending the rights of transgender individuals. Transgender people deserve the right to determine their own future and live healthy lives — which inarguably requires equal access to life-saving medical care.

In the “land of the free,” access to healthcare should not be contingent upon one’s gender identity. We condemn this act of discrimination against the transgender community and will continue to fight for a future of liberation for all.

To learn more about this Supreme Court ruling and how you can join in to build power for trans communities, join our grantee partner, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, and the ACLU of Massachusetts at their upcoming virtual event. 

In Solidarity,

Natanja Craig Oquendo

Executive Director