“Transgender people are not alone in this fight” — local advocates react to SCOTUS ruling

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — In a six to three ruling earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming medical care for minors.

With the three liberal judges dissenting, six conservative judges found the law restricting the use of hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and other medical care used to treat gender dysphoria in minors — is constitutional.

Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued that the law violated the Equal Protection Act — discriminating against young people based on sex.

“The Supreme Court disagreed and held that the law only treats people differently based on age, because the law only applies to minors,” says Meredith McPhail, Staff Attorney for the ACLU of SC.

Jace Woodrum, Executive Director for the ACLU of SC, says because of the court’s failure to protect family’s freedoms, transgender young people will be denied access to appropriate healthcare.

“Importantly, this is healthcare that all major medical associations in this country have determined to be safe, effective, medically necessary, and in many cases, life saving,” he says.

A transgender man himself, Woodrum says gender affirming healthcare has positively changed his life, and the lives of others.

“I am able to live authentically as the man I always known myself to be because I had access to this care.  I’ve heard stories about the transgender teenager whose grades went from failing to honor role after they started hormones, or the transgender person whose depression and anxiety disappeared with puberty blockers,” he says.

The six to three ruling is likely to have a sweeping effect — with nearly half of states across the country holding similar laws.

Currently here in SC, Woodrum says minors cannot access gender affirming healthcare even with parental consent. Two hospitals, MUSC and Roper St. Francis, have barred gender affirming care for children and adults at their locations.

Governor Henry McMaster agrees with the Supreme Court, saying via X, “This ruling is a major victory for South Carolina and the entire country. Protecting our children from irreversible gender transition procedures should not be controversial — it’s common sense.”

However the ACLU of SC has filed to challenge SC’s House Bill against gender affirming care.

“But no matter what the court or politicians say, transgender people are not alone in this fight. Our case in SC continues and we will never stop fighting in the courtroom and in communities across the state to ensure that transgender South Carolinians have the freedom to shape their own futures,” says Woodrum.