Blog 6/18/25
Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued an opinion on United States v. Skrmetti (Docket No. 23-477). In a 6 – 3 opinion, SCOTUS ruled that Tennessee’s law, which bans gender affirming care for minors, does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This opinion stands in stark opposition to the historical application of the Equal Protection Clause, and it runs counter to the prevailing medical consensus that gender-affirming care is medically necessary healthcare.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal, who represented the plaintiff in the case, argued that the Tennessee law unfairly discriminates against transgender youth by denying them the same access to medical care as other minors. Unfortunately, those living in the Volunteer State will continue to face a restrictive ban on essential healthcare services.
According to the Movement Advancement Project, 25 states ban best practice gender affirming care for youth, and 6 states have classified such care as a felony. Today’s decision could also reinforce legal arguments to defend such discriminatory laws, which is devastating news for America’s 1.6 million transgender adults and estimated 300,000 transgender youth.
Reflecting on the Court’s opinion, Dr. Rhea Debussy (she/her), Director of External Affairs at Equitas Health said, “By upholding this discriminatory law, the Supreme Court of the United States has set a dangerous precedent. Transgender youth – like all other Americans – deserve access to medically necessary and evidence-based care, and by denying access to life-saving medications, the Court has ruled on the wrong side of history.”
Such laws, like SB 1 in Tennessee, strip families of their right to make informed healthcare decisions, while also preventing medical providers from offering evidence-based care. Equitas Health continues to reiterate that healthcare decisions should be made by patients and providers, not politicians.
Considering the broader implications of this decision, David Ernesto Munar (he/him), President and Chief Executive Officer at Equitas Health said, “A recent study published by the Trevor Project shows that states with anti-trans laws saw suicide attempts among trans and non-binary youth increase by as much as 72%. Tennessee’s law and other bans on medically necessary care for trans youth are not just discriminatory. They’re deadly.”
By ruling in favor of this discriminatory law, SCOTUS has increased the growing threat to transgender rights and access to care, and Equitas Health will not remain silent in the face of such injustice.
To attend the National Trans Bar Association’s virtual decision day discussion of this case, click here.
To contact the Lambda Legal Help Desk for general legal info and resources about anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, click here.
To support Equitas Health – including our continued advocacy work – with a donation click here.
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ABOUT EQUITAS HEALTH
Established in 1984, Equitas Health is a regional nonprofit community healthcare system. A federally-designated Community Health Center, it is one of the largest LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS serving healthcare organizations in the United States. With 22 offices in 13 cities, Equitas Health serves tens of thousands of patients in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia each year through patient-centered, integrated, and cutting edge services, including primary and specialized medical care, pharmacy, dentistry, mental health and recovery, HIV/STI treatment and prevention, PrEP/PEP, Ryan White/HIV case management, care navigation, advocacy, and other community health initiatives. The Equitas Health Pharmacy is an integral and essential part of the health center’s comprehensive care and business models, reinvesting 100% of profits back into the organization’s programs and services. Equitas Health operates pharmacies serving patients in Ohio and Texas. For more information, visit equitashealth.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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