Sen. Heidi Campbell statement on United States v. Skrmetti
A challenge to Tennessee’s G.O.P.-backed ban on transition-related medical care for youth is being heard in the U.S. Supreme Court
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, issued a statement marking the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti. Plaintiffs in the case are challenging S.B. 1, Tennessee’s state-level ban on transition-related medical care for transgender youth.
“Families in our state are struggling with skyrocketing grocery bills, unaffordable childcare, and gridlocked traffic — yet instead of addressing these pressing issues, Tennessee’s attorney general and the Republican-controlled legislature are waging a costly legal battle to override parental choice and deny best-practice medical care to some of our most vulnerable children. This political gamesmanship, funded by our hard-earned tax dollars, is not only cruel but also a violation of fundamental rights. Parents have a right to guide their children’s medical care, and every child deserves equal protection under the law.
“Tennessee’s discriminatory ban is unconstitutional, and it does nothing to improve the lives of our citizens. Tennesseans deserve leaders who focus on solving real problems — not manufactured culture wars that harm families and divide our communities. It’s time for Tennessee to move forward, to respect families’ rights, and to ensure that every child, no matter who they are, has the chance to thrive.”
G.O.P. pushing restrictions
In March 2023, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed S.B. 1 into law, banning transition-related medical care for transgender youth. That same year, 19 other states passed similar bans on best-practice medical care for transgender youth.
The cases against these state-level laws largely make two arguments: that the bans discriminate based on sex and transgender status, violating the equal protection clause, and that they infringe on parent’s rights to guide their children’s medical care, violating their due process rights.
