The Supreme Court, in a 6–3 decision, has affirmed that Tennessee—and by extension other states—can legally prohibit gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors. Chief Justice Roberts, writing for the majority, concluded that the law is a regulation of medical practice, not a violation of the Equal Protection Clause, and therefore does not require strict judicial scrutiny.
This ruling leaves intact similar bans already enacted in roughly half of U.S. states, while opening the door for further state-level restrictions on youth gender-care access. The Court’s majority emphasized that such medical policy decisions belong with legislatures rather than the judiciary.
Opponents, including Justice Sotomayor, called the decision a major setback for transgender youth and families, warning of “untold harm” and saying it abandoned vulnerable teens to political agendas. Major medical associations continue to support gender-affirming care, citing strong evidence of its benefits, but the ruling empowers states to override those positions.