FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cathy Renna, Communications Director, National LGBTQ Task Force, [email protected], cell 917-757-6123
NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE RESPONSE TO SUPREME COURT DECISION ON “UNITED STATES V. SKRMETTI”
“While devastating…..in no way, shape, or form does this decision mark the end of our fight
and advocacy for transgender rights – it’s just the beginning….”
The following can be attributed to Kierra Johnson, President, National LGBTQ Task Force:
“Gender affirming care can mean the difference between life and death for our transgender youth. Today, the Supreme Court rejected the science and authorization of gender affirming care, upheld harmful bans, and denied the lived experiences of trans youth.
The Supreme Court has now rolled back critical protections against discrimination on the basis of sex. This is an especially devastating moment for transgender youth, their parents and their doctors across the country. Tennessee’s ban on essential medical care — and other similar state bans — will continue to wreak havoc on the lives of these families.
What we know is this: transgender youth denied access to appropriate medical care are in danger of worse physical and mental health outcomes.
Americans look to the Supreme Court as the highest court of the land, making decisions with long term impact in these critical times; decisions that speak to the value certain communities. Transgender youth are often overlooked, undervalued, and lack the protection that they deserve as both minors and transgender community members. Gender dysphoria impacts more than the physicality of a person and, when left untreated, may result in anxiety and depression. When there is no legal doctrine that speaks to pertinence of gender affirming care, it shows that the law is not on their side, discrediting and disenfranchising a community while obliterating their humanity.
The Supreme Court’s decision does not simply impact transgender rights but parental rights and the recommendations of the vast majority of medical experts. Parents of transgender youth are constantly scrutinized for their support for their children and deemed unfit for displaying loyalty and understanding in a world that does the opposite. Medical experts who provide treatment face similar scrutiny and their research and are questioned for engaging in unbiased consultation to patients, no matter what their gender identity or expression, which should be encouraged.
Today’s decision does the complete opposite and puts lives and families at risk. The Skrmetti decision reinforces harmful ideology that transgender youth are unsure of themselves, and supportive parents of transgender youth do not know their own children and their needs, and medical experts should not be able to do their jobs to heal and support those in their care.
We know that progress is never linear and this decision, while devastating, will only make us work harder to protect trans youth and do the work to educate the public about the reality of their lives.
We want to take a moment to thank states who have consistently championed the rights of the transgender community and directly uplifted people and their perspectives – not passing anti-LGBTQ+ bills. We hope that this decision does not discourage such states from being fearless in their protection of all human rights. In addition, we hope other states, despite today’s decision, still find the compassion to overturn harmful bans against gender affirming care.
In no way, shape, or form does this decision mark the end of our fight and advocacy for transgender rights – it’s just the beginning. We must remain fervent, vigilant, and profound in our advocacy. This is a disappointment for our community, and we will mourn and express our disappointment in SCOTUS. But we cannot and will not lose sight of our mission.”
For more information go to www.thetaskforce.org
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