Gender-affirming care, trans youth sports bans, and more

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John,

Yesterday, the Supreme Court allowed Idaho's ban on medically necessary healthcare for trans youth to go into effect – a temporary decision that will have immediate and dangerous consequences for trans youth in Idaho. It sends a shameful and devastating message to the families of transgender youth nationwide, who have been facing chaos and disruption to their lives as they navigate care bans across the country.

It's outrageous that the Supreme Court has taken this action, even though these anti-transgender healthcare bans are not only blatantly unconstitutional but also morally wrong. This is the first time the Court has weighed in on a gender-affirming care ban, and there are a number of cases focused on the bans that the Supreme Court will consider in the months ahead regarding bans in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. We hope that the Court does the right thing and ends this crisis by striking down the bans.

I know that folks across the country read this news and are afraid of what this could mean for healthcare access in other states. We want to lift up this insight ([link removed]) from our partners at the ACLU of South Carolina: “The Supreme Court's partial stay in Idaho doesn't bolster the case of anti-trans lawmakers here in South Carolina or anywhere else. In fact, the court's order didn't discuss the constitutionality of the ban at all….The partial stay in Idaho is not a forecast of what's to come. The court did not indicate that it is going to rule in favor of the state or that it is going to take up the case at all."

There's a long road ahead when it comes to what the Supreme Court will actually rule on gender-affirming care bans, but in the short term, families in Idaho – and many other states where healthcare bans are in effect – are hurting. If you'd like to help trans youth in Idaho right now, support the ACLU ([link removed]) and the ACLU of Idaho ([link removed]) as they lead the litigation to stop this discriminatory ban from taking effect. We're immensely thankful for their work fighting these bans across the country.
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While we're disturbed by yesterday's SCOTUS action, we're also celebrating a win in court today – the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that a West Virginia policy preventing transgender youth from participating on the sports team that aligns with their gender violates Title IX. This marks the first time a federal court has ruled a transgender sports ban unconstitutional, setting a positive precedent for other states with sports bans, including South Carolina and North Carolina. If this ruling stands, it could be a step in the right direction for trans youth in SC and NC who have been blocked from playing sports.

Read our blog about the win in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals today, and share it with your network so they understand the impact this will have on sports bans in the region and across the country. ([link removed])

These decisions back-to-back are a sobering reminder that it really is up to us – everyone who loves and supports transgender youth – to do everything in our power to protect and uplift transgender youth, with our voices, our donations, and at the ballot box. We can't stop fighting until every LGBTQ+ person can get the care they need to thrive and participate fully in public life in their home state.

No matter what the courts say, let us make one thing crystal clear: transgender youth are powerful, loved, and supported – and we'll never stop working to make sure they can access the medical care they need and deserve without leaving their home state. The Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project (STYEP) works to support trans youth in 15 states where care bans are in effect. If you'd like to support our work helping families of trans youth navigate this crisis and get to the care they need, click here to donate to STYEP. ([link removed])

Whether you're speaking out, attending rallies, donating, or supporting the trans community in your own way – thank you. Trans youth need and deserve your voice right now.

Adam Polaski
Communications & Political Director
Campaign for Southern Equality
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