Historic Moment: ACLU Lawyer to Argue Against Tennessee’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Minors

Breaking Barriers at the U.S. Supreme Court

In a groundbreaking move, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will make history in December as Chase Strangio, an ACLU lawyer and a prominent figure in transgender rights advocacy, becomes the first openly transgender attorney to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. Strangio will be opposing Tennessee’s controversial law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

The Case at Hand

• The law prohibits medical treatments such as hormones and surgeries for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.
• President Joe Biden’s administration has appealed a lower court’s decision upholding Tennessee’s ban.
• The Supreme Court has ordered argument time to be divided between the Justice Department and attorneys representing the plaintiffs challenging the ban.
  

  Meet Chase Strangio
  

  Chase Strangio, aged 41, is a leading legal expert on transgender rights and the co-director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. He has been at the forefront of opposing state laws targeting transgender individuals, including the one being challenged in the Supreme Court. Strangio has represented high-profile cases, advocating for individuals like transgender student Gavin Grimm and Chelsea Manning.

  The Legal Battle
  

• Tennessee is one of 22 states with laws targeting medical interventions for adolescents with gender dysphoria.
• Supporters of the ban argue that these treatments are experimental and potentially harmful, while medical associations highlight their life-saving potential.
• Plaintiffs, including transgender youth and their parents, argue that banning care for transgender adolescents violates the U.S. Constitution’s promise of equal protection.
  

  The Stakes
  

• The law in question aims to enforce gender conformity and discourage adolescents from identifying as transgender.
• Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti defends the law as a measure to protect minors from risky interventions.
  

  The Road Ahead
  

• A federal judge initially blocked the law, citing potential violations of the 14th Amendment.
• The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed the judge’s decision.
• The Supreme Court’s decision in this case will have significant implications for transgender rights and the legal landscape surrounding gender-affirming care.

  In conclusion, the upcoming Supreme Court case involving Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors is a pivotal moment in the fight for transgender rights and equality. The outcome of this case will not only impact the lives of those directly affected but also set a precedent for future legal battles in this arena. Stay tuned as Chase Strangio and the ACLU make history and advocate for justice at the highest level of the U.S. judicial system.