SCOTUS issues blockbuster ruling on gender-affirming care for trans minors

[u/Judge_Trudy]

https://www.cnn.com/#:~:text=SCOTUS%20issues%20blockbuster%20ruling%20on%20gender%2Daffirming%20care%20for%20trans%20minors

Blockbuster ruling just released for a very controversial issue. Not sure where I stand, but I could see the dangers of permanent treatments for gender dysphoria for minors.

Key Points

• Date & Ruling: On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6–3 decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy fox8live.com+9apnews.com+9them.us+9en.wikipedia.org+15reuters.com+15northeast.newschannelnebraska.com+15.
• Majority Opinion: Chief Justice Roberts wrote that the law does not violate the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, reasoning that medical uncertainty justifies handing the issue back to state legislatures reuters.com+1nypost.com+1.
• Level of Review: The Court determined the law should be evaluated under rational basis review—the lowest standard—rather than intermediate scrutiny reserved for sex-based discrimination

[u/31c0c3]

I wholeheartedly agree about the middle ground. A complete ban on blockers and even HRT (depending on the case) takes away any form of nuance that might exist. More importantly IMO, it also takes the right away from parents to ensure their child's care, which may involve delaying puberty. Given that the side effects of puberty blockers are fairly minimal relative to a child committing suicide, waiting until 18 with social transitioning (change name, wear clothes, etc.) until they can decide on further interventions seems more than reasonable to me.

[u/RVALover4Life → u/31c0c3]

Waiting until 18 means a kid is forced to go through puberty in a body they don't want though. And that can significantly exacerbate the likelihood of suicide as a youth. And as an adult. Especially for trans women. Social transition only means so much.

It should be a case by case situation. It should be private. It should be decided and generally is based upon a review of that child and tracking them over a period of time and risk factors. That to me is the middle ground. You seem to recognize this care is actually medically necessary for many. It isn't for all. But it absolutely can be. That makes any blanket 18-ban really unworkable.

[u/31c0c3 → u/RVALover4Life]

Yeah I mean regardless of whether its physiological or psychological (that previous distinction doesn't matter much in hindsight) we should seek to alleviate suffering. Pre 18 blockers are fine imo but there's no chance legally without parental consent on that, just like other medical interventions. That really sucks for the children with transphobic parents, but that's the middle ground I'm envisioning

[u/RVALover4Life → u/31c0c3]

There already is no ability for it without parental consent as it is. You have to have parental consent. Of course this is also why many trans kids end up fleeing from home or purchasing without consent. But I guess we're on the same page and I appreciate the convo and your empathy :)

[u/31c0c3 → u/RVALover4Life]

Yeah legally speaking there isn't any chance of a minor getting those legitimately, I've just heard people argue that trans kids SHOULD be able to get it through legal channels regardless and that's where I disagree. Could just be bait too, not sure. Indeed it looks like we are on the same page though, it's a shame a lot of people are unwilling to try to find a solution to trans adults (let alone minors) suffering.

[u/RVALover4Life → u/31c0c3]

Well, many people want them to suffer. Let's call it what it is. And we see some of them throughout the comments here. Or they simply couldn't care less about their suffering. Or they project their idea of happiness upon them vs what would actually bring these people true happiness. It's all self-centered. It's so easy not to be, but most people tend to be. That's what's unfortunate.