SCOTUS Upholds Tennessee Ban on Transition Treatments for Minors

Updated 6/18/25 at 7:15 ET

The US Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law Wednesday that restricts access to gender transition treatments for minors, in a decision that could influence legislation in other states.

The Details: The 6-3 ruling decided that states can regulate or ban transition treatments without violating the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. The decision, settling the 2023 United States v. Skrmetti lawsuit enacted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), will uphold a Tennessee state ban on transition-intended treatments, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery.

Key Quote: “This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy, and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field. The voices in these debates raise sincere concerns; the implications for all are profound,” wrote conservative Chief Justice John Roberts.

For Context: President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January, declaring “the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” Twenty-three states, including Tennessee, currently enforce laws that ban or restrict transition treatments for minors. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will be shutting down its LGBTQ suicide hotline on July 17, under the Trump administration's direction.

How The Media Covered It: Associated Press (Left bias) referred to the decision as a “jolting setback for transgender rights.” AP, along with most other outlets on the left, used the favorable term “gender-affirming care” in reference to transition treatments. The Federalist (Right) used the term “transgender procedures” and did not give voice to the decision's opponents until the end of its article. Roll Call (Center) used the term “gender-affirming care,” but it highlighted perspectives of both supporters and opponents. It also emphasized the legal questions the decision has raised. While AP most prominently featured a photograph of a sign stating “Healthcare is safe, effective and life-saving,” Roll Call’s image exhibited a photograph of both supporting and opposing sign statements. The Federalist alternatively featured a photograph of a mother, daughter, and healthcare provider. Learn about how AllSides approaches gender terminology.

Revised by the AllSides staff (of humans) after a first draft from our custom AI. Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.