The highest court in the United States must decide whether the state's ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors is unconstitutional. The landmark case could have major implications for transgender people across the country — and not just when it comes to their health care.
Here's what you need to know.
What is it about?
the case United States v. Skrmetticenters around a law in Tennessee that bans gender-affirming medical care for minors under the age of 18 — treatments such as drugs to delay puberty, hormone therapy and surgery to treat gender dysphoria, the distressing feeling people experience when their gender identity is not the same as the gender they were assigned at birth.
Under Tennessee's law, which was passed last year, medical professionals who administer these treatments can be sued, fined or otherwise professionally disciplined.
What does the court decide?
The justices are being asked to rule on whether the Tennessee law violates the U.S. Constitution — specifically the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause — by making distinctions based on sex. They do not rule on the issue of medical treatment of transgender minors.
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments in a major transgender rights case testing whether a Republican-backed Tennessee ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors violates the U.S. Constitution.
Is Tennessee the only state with such a ban?
No. A wave of conservative state lawmakers have endorsed similar policies across the country over the past few years, but the Tennessee one is the only one being heard by the US Supreme Court.
Why is this such an important case?
It is the first time the nation's highest court will rule on a state ban on denying gender-affirming medical care to youth. It's also just second time in four years that the court had to decide to what extent federal law protects transgender people from discrimination.
The best Supreme Court lawyer of the Biden administration warned that the decision rested with Tennessee can be used to justify national restrictions on health care for transgender minors. A ruling against Tennessee, on the other hand, could open the door to challenges to similar policies in other states.
It can also go beyond healthcare. The ruling could affect efforts to regulate other aspects of transgender Americans' lives, such as what sports they can participate in and which bathrooms they can use.
What is the composition of the court?
Six of the nine justices are conservative, with three appointed by President-elect Donald Trump when he was in the White House from 2017-21. During the presidential election campaign, Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people.
After hearing arguments for two hours Wednesday, the court appeared likely to uphold Tennessee's ban. The three liberal justices appeared inclined to agree with the challengers, but they do not hold enough seats to influence the decision.
When will the judges make a decision?
The decision is expected by the end of June 2025.
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