Supreme Court turned its back on trans youth. Our community never will. | Opinion
In the face of the Supreme Court's decision, it's important we look for ways to tangibly support families of trans youth. The legal system may have failed them, but our community won't.
- The Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
- Organizations are providing resources and travel grants to families seeking care in other states.
- The decision intensifies worries for families about access to care and financial burdens.
- Support groups and community fundraising efforts are helping families navigate these challenges.
With its decision in Skrmetti v. United States, the Supreme Court has delivered a heart-breaking blow to transgender youth and the families fighting to protect them. The court upheld Tennessee’s law banning gender-affirming care for youth, allowing it to remain in effect.
To be clear, this decision does not require states to ban gender-affirming care. It does not change the fact that interstate travel remains a constitutional right. Above all, it does not mean that families of transgender youth are alone during this crisis.
I understand that moments like this can feel devastating. But right now, it’s critical that we maintain hope – and that we do everything possible to support families who are facing hardships.
I work as the family resources manager for the Trans Youth Emergency Project, a core program of the Campaign for Southern Equality. Since 2023, we’ve been connecting families with vital resources and support in the face of sweeping anti-trans legislation.
SCOTUS upholding Tennessee's ban hurts. But we can't lose hope.
Every day, I speak directly with parents of transgender young people who are faced with the reality that their child’s lifesaving health care is not available in their home state.
We offer these families up-to-date information, access to affirming providers who are not impacted by anti-transgender restrictions, and travel grants of $500, renewable every three months, to help them continue to access the care they need and deserve.
And we're not alone in this work: There is a robust network of organizations supporting transgender and queer youth in every single state – from deep red and rural communities in Mississippi to major cities across the South and the Midwest. There are many amazing support groups for parents and young people, including chapters of PFLAG and TransParent in every state.
We’re honored to partner with many of these groups, and they’re a powerful place to start for families who are feeling overwhelmed or don’t know where to turn.
When it comes to direct logistical and financial support, we're here to help. Since launching two years ago, we have provided more than $600,000 in direct travel grants for the families of transgender youth.
The families we connect with live with fear and exhaustion. Many families I talk to are worried about delaying or needing to stop care. They worry about the financial burden. They worry about potential prosecution from a rogue state actor or the federal government. There are worries upon worries upon worries.
This Supreme Court decision will only intensify these worries. Now, families living in states with bans are facing the reality of having to travel multiple times every year, or move out of state to get their child health care.
To families feeling despair, know you are not alone
No family should have to shoulder so much, but I am so inspired and heartened by these parents and families who are moving mountains to care for their children. The parents and caregivers I speak to have deep love for their youth.
Every few months, they are traveling hundreds of miles and spending thousands of dollars to secure care that should be available in their hometowns. Families have taken out second mortgages on their homes. Young people have adapted to switching providers multiple times as new bans and restrictions have come up. Parents have taken new jobs and uprooted their entire lives to protect their kids from anti-trans laws.
I recently spoke with a grandmother in Missouri who is raising her nonbinary grandchild after the child’s parents rejected them. When Missouri implemented its care ban, this grandmother was already driving hours to get treatment in Kansas, only to have that option disappear, too.
She told me, “I can’t afford another trip, but I’ll do it anyway. I have to.”
In the face of this decision, it’s important that we look for ways to tangibly and meaningfully support families. The legal system may have failed them, but I know that our community won’t.
And we are honored to do our part. We will continue to reach out, to provide lifesaving resources, and to affirm that transgender youth have a right to grow up safe, supported and healthy. Transgender youth deserve to live long, full, authentic lives and to realize their full potential.
We’re grateful to see the ways that our community has stepped up to support our program and these families. From craft sales to live performances to lemonade stands, people nationwide have hosted every fundraiser imaginable to support the families we serve. And as these health care bans remain in place, we know that help will be more critical than ever.
To the parents reading this who feel fear or despair, please know this: The Trans Youth Emergency Project and so many others are here, and there is a huge community behind you ready to help you through this turbulence.
We see your love. We understand the weight of your choices. And we will do everything in our power to make sure your child gets the care they need, no matter what politicians or courts say.
Van Bailey is the family resources manager for the Trans Youth Emergency Project, a program of the Campaign for Southern Equality. Families can get support at transyouthemergencyproject.org