Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee Ban on Youth Gender-Affirming Care, ACLU's Chase Strangio Argues Historic Case

Washington D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed Tennessee's state law prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors, a decision with significant implications for transgender youth nationwide. The ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti upheld the ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender individuals under 18. This landmark case saw Chase Strangio, a prominent American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyer, become the first openly transgender person to present oral arguments before the nation's highest court.

Strangio, the deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLU, has been a leading advocate in the fight against state legislation targeting gender transition care for minors. His arguments before the Supreme Court underscored the organization's position that such bans violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, asserting that access to gender-affirming care is crucial and life-saving for many transgender youth. The ACLU has challenged similar laws in numerous states, with the Skrmetti case being a pivotal legal battle.

The Court's 6-3 decision, delivered in June 2025, allows Tennessee's Senate Bill 1 to remain in effect, potentially influencing similar restrictions in over 20 other states. While the ruling is a setback for transgender rights advocates, legal experts note that it does not entirely close avenues for future challenges, particularly regarding state constitutional claims or other forms of discrimination. The outcome highlights the ongoing legal and social contention surrounding gender-affirming care for minors.

Amidst this legal landscape, public discourse remains highly polarized, as exemplified by social media commentary. Author Wesley Yang recently commented on the situation, stating, > "This will get Lionel Shriver a 24-hour ban on Slow Boring, and a scolding from other Reasonable Men, all of whom know that Strangio is a woman and none of whom believe for a second that Chase Strangio is a man." Yang's tweet points to the ideological divide within online communities like "Slow Boring" regarding gender identity.

Lionel Shriver, a well-known novelist and commentator, has publicly articulated views that align with the sentiment Yang describes. Shriver has consistently stated her belief that "trans men" are women, asserting that biological sex is immutable and that "gender-affirming care" indulges delusions. Her outspoken stance often places her at odds with mainstream transgender advocacy, contributing to the contentious nature of the debate in various public and online forums. The intersection of legal outcomes and deeply held personal beliefs continues to shape the evolving narrative around transgender rights in the United States.