Supreme Court Weighs on Tennessee's Transgender Healthcare Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing Tennessee's controversial ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Conservative justices appear to support Tennessee's rationale, while opponents, including the Biden administration, argue it discriminates based on sex and transgender status, violating the 14th Amendment's promise of equal protection.

The U.S. Supreme Court engaged in a critical debate over transgender rights, focusing on Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors. Conservative justices on the court, which has a significant conservative majority, posed challenging questions to opponents of the law, suggesting possible support for Tennessee's stance.

This contentious law, one of 24 similar measures nationwide, bars medical treatments like puberty blockers and hormones for minors with gender dysphoria. The Biden administration has appealed a lower court ruling upholding the ban, arguing it's unconstitutional discrimination.

The Supreme Court's decision, anticipated by June, could have profound implications for transgender rights and the broader cultural debates surrounding them. Both opponents and proponents of the law demonstrated outside the court, highlighting the issue's polarizing nature.

(With inputs from agencies.)