This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a divided opinion that allows the State of Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for youth under eighteen to be enforced. In Illinois, gender-affirming care for youth and adults is available, legal, and protected. The following can be attributed to Michelle García, Deputy Legal Director at the ACLU of Illinois:
The Supreme Court’s ruling this morning in U.S. v. Skrmetti is a setback for the rights of transgender people, allowing the State of Tennessee to discriminate on the basis of sex and transgender status.
It is critical to remember that today’s ruling is limited to Tennessee.
No one should be confused by any headline around this ruling: gender-affirming care is life-saving healthcare, and it remains safe and legal for youth and adults in Illinois. If you or someone you love is currently receiving or needs gender-affirming care in Illinois, it will not be affected by today’s Supreme Court decision.
Over the past few years, families, activists, advocates, and legislators in Springfield have worked to ensure that gender-affirming care is legal and available to all patients in Illinois. We also have put in place legal protections for health care providers who offer this care to their patients.
Trans rights are under attack in many places around the country. In Illinois, we are doing everything we can to protect and provide access to this important healthcare.