Possibly at most about 300,000 persons ages 13-17 identify as transgender, maybe around 3,000 in Tennessee, a state that banned transgender care for adolescents.
It’s amazing that a group so small would get so much attention from state lawmakers, most of whom declare they are for parental rights, only not in this case.
Yesterday the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Tennessee’s law banning such care supported by parents and doctors. The question for the Court was whether the law discriminated against persons on the basis of sex; no, it did not, said the Court, just on the basis of age and type of medical treatment.
Although the decision is narrowly drawn, it will have widespread implications. What is clear is that society is torn on the issue, as there were six separate opinions. As a result of such laws, families seek care for their children out of state; some have just moved. But behind the law, in addition to targeting a small and vulnerable group of people, Is an anti-science animus. It was Tennessee that had the Scopes trial, after all.
Prayer for the Day
What is it we fear, O God,
As certain groups are targeted?
Why have we been so consumed, O Lord,
On what should be medical decisions?
Move us beyond stigmatizing others,
For we would not like to be stigmatized ourselves.
In the name of the One who welcomes all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Seeing kids who look like me, have the same struggle as me, not have the same hope is very hard.
Eli Givens, who received care at age 17
Male (but not female) adolescents can receive medicines that help them look like boys, and female (but not male) adolescents can receive medicines that help them look like girls. By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the Court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims. In sadness, I dissent
Sonia Sotomayor, dissent, U.S. v. Skrmetti
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
The earth is full of your creatures.
Psalm 104: 24