Press release

June 18, 2025

Defend Public Health Responds to SCOTUS Decision on Gender-Affirming Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coordinating Committee of Defend Public Health issued the following statement in response to today’s Supreme Court ruling in the case of United States v. Skrmetti, about the Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth:

“This is a sad day for transgender young people and their families in Tennessee, as well as those in other states that have passed or are considering these sorts of unscientific bans. We agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has stated that transgender youth should ‘have access to comprehensive, gender-affirming, and developmentally appropriate health care that is provided in a safe and inclusive clinical space’ and that it ‘opposes any laws or regulations that discriminate against transgender and gender-diverse individuals, or that interfere in the doctor-patient relationship.’ Gender-affirming care is essential healthcare and a necessary part of public health.”

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Defend Public Health is an all-volunteer network of public health researchers, healthcare workers, advocates and allies fighting to protect the health of all from the Trump administration's cruel attacks on proven, science-based public health policies. We believe that everyone has the right to what they need for a healthy life, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

DefendPublicHealth.org

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