📢 Power to the People Means Rejecting Bigotry
Let us stand united to ensure that every person, no matter their gender identity or age, has the freedom to grow, thrive, and be loved without fear.
Happy Pride Month!
Today, I want to take a closer look at a recent Supreme Court decision from earlier this week. This explanation is a bit longer than usual—but it’s important. Understanding the details of this troubling ruling helps us see just how deeply it affects all of us.
In a deeply distressing ruling in United States v. Skrmetti a few days ago, the U.S. Supreme Court once again elevated political bigotry over expert medical consensus, rejecting the constitutional rights of transgender youth and their families. By upholding Tennessee's SB1—an extremist law banning gender-affirming care for minors—the Court ignored decades of legal precedent, medical evidence, and lived experience, choosing instead to embolden discriminatory ideologues at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors.
This ruling marks the first time the Supreme Court has directly weighed in on a ban targeting gender-affirming care, and the implications are as dangerous as they are heartbreaking. It should galvanize all of us—parents, health providers, advocates, and allies—to come together not only to protect trans youth but to reform a Supreme Court increasingly captured by far-right interests. This is not the end of the road—it is a call to action.
The Case: United States v. Skrmetti
The case originated when three Tennessee families, alongside their medical provider, challenged SB1, Tennessee's categorical ban on hormone therapies and puberty suppressants for transgender minors. Represented by the ACLU and other advocates, the plaintiffs argued that SB1 violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by discriminating based on sex and transgender status.
Initially, the Sixth Circuit upheld the ban. And now, the Supreme Court has affirmed that decision, holding that the law does not merit the kind of "heightened scrutiny" traditionally applied to laws that classify individuals based on sex. Instead, the Court claimed that only a "legitimate" government interest was needed to justify this ban. As a result, SB1 stands, allowing Tennessee to deny life-saving care to transgender youth.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a powerful dissent, declared: "The Court … does irrevocable damage to the Equal Protection Clause and invites legislatures to engage in discrimination by hiding blatant sex classifications in plain sight." She added poignantly, "In sadness, I dissent."
Elevating Bigotry Over Expertise
This case is not just a legal disagreement. It's a moral one. Every primary medical association in the United States—including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Endocrine Society—has affirmed that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and, for many, life-saving. 1
Dr. Jamila Perritt, ob/gyn in DC and President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health made this statement in response to the decision:
"Let me be as direct as possible: the impact from this SCOTUS decision will harm transgender youth and criminalize providers for offering care to those who need it. Research has shown that access to gender affirming care is lifesaving for many young people, reducing the rates of depression suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Limiting or eliminating this care will have deadly consequences for these communities. The rhetoric suggesting that this decision is designed to protect and support queer and questioning youth is a lie. In fact, it does the exact opposite."
This is not governance. This is cruelty. And it is being codified by the highest Court in the land.
The Dangerous Precedent Moving Forward
The Court's Court's refusal to recognize SB1 as discriminatory undermines over fifty years of Equal Protection jurisprudence. The ruling signals to states that if they cleverly mask their discrimination—by claiming public safety or medical skepticism—they can bypass constitutional scrutiny altogether.
Darcy Hirsh of the National Council of Jewish Women warned that "the ruling not only harms young people, but it sets a terrifying precedent… making it harder for vulnerable groups to seek equal protection." Indeed, this opens the door for renewed attacks on reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA+ rights, and access to health care for all marginalized groups.
Already, 25 states have enacted bans similar to SB1, and over 100,000 trans youth now live in states where their care is under threat (Democracy Forward, 2025). With the Trump administration and extremist governors pushing federal and state-level bans, this ruling becomes more than a setback—it becomes a roadmap for discrimination.
But We Are Not Powerless
"We know the truth: in America, the power lies with the people," declared Andy Marra, Executive Director of Advocates for Trans Equality. That truth is the foundation of our democracy, and people power is what we champion here every day at People Power United. And now, more than ever, we must wield it.
This ruling is a blow—but it is not a defeat. As Chase Strangio of the ACLU stated, "Though this is a painful setback, it does not mean that transgender people and our allies are left with no options... We will continue to fight with defiant strength, a restless resolve, and a lasting commitment."
Here is how we can champion equal protection and dignity for all:
Click here to Tell States: Stop Passing Anti-Trans Laws
Passing Federal Protections for LGBTQIA+ Rights: Congress must codify protections for trans youth and families and end attempts to ban care under Medicaid or federal funding. Click here to support the Equality Act.
Advocating for Supreme Court Reform: We must push for expanding the Court and establishing binding ethics rules and term limits. The Court's current makeup—engineered by Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump—is not representative of the American people, and its repeated betrayal of precedent and rights demands structural correction. Click here to send a letter to lawmakers.
Electing Leaders Who Defend All Families: From local races to the presidency, we must elect officials who believe in equal dignity for all people—not just those who conform to a narrow vision of gender, religion, or politics.
A Hopeful Resistance
As we celebrate Pride Month—a time to honor love, authenticity, and the hard-won progress of the LGBTQIA+ community—we must also confront a painful truth: this is a deeply difficult moment for our trans community members. But while it is painful, it is not hopeless.
Our history is filled with moments when the courts failed us—but the people rose up and made it right.
So let us recommit to that fight today.
Let us demand a judiciary that delivers justice—not ideology.
Let us stand united to ensure that every person, no matter their gender identity or age, has the freedom to grow, thrive, and be loved without fear. Because Pride is not just a celebration—it’s a promise to keep fighting for a world where everyone belongs.
Everyone deserves to vote and thrive,
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
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https://glaad.org/medical-association-statements-supporting-trans-youth-healthcare-and-against-discriminatory/