U.S. top court upholds ban on gender-affirming care for minors

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Tennessee law banning gender-affirming treatments for transgender minors, sparking cultural debate.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) upheld a state law banning gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender minors – an issue at the heart of the American culture wars.

The court voted 6-3 to uphold a Tennessee law barring hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender transition surgery for those under the age of 18.

The six conservative justices on the top court rejected a challenge to the law while the three liberals dissented.

Two dozen Republican-led states have enacted laws restricting medical care for transgender youth, and the case will have repercussions for the prohibitions across the country.

“This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy, and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts, author of the majority opinion.

“The Court’s role is not ‘to judge the wisdom, fairness, or logic’ (of the law) but only to ensure that the law does not violate equal protection guarantees,” Mr. Roberts said.

“It does not. Questions regarding the law’s policy are thus appropriately left to the people, their elected representatives, and the democratic process,” he added.