Republican AGs defend Tennessee's minor gender treatment ban ahead of SCOTUS hearing

In the United States, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is defending a law that bans sex-change surgeries and hormone treatments for minors, which was enacted in 2023. This law has gained attention as the Supreme Court prepares to hear related cases this fall. Skrmetti noted a significant rise in the number of minors seeking these procedures, particularly among girls, prompting concerns about the implications for children's health and well-being. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for the Supreme Court to understand the realities faced by children in medical clinics. An affidavit from a whistleblower, Jamie Reed, claims that medical centers have pressured parents into consenting to treatments by suggesting dire consequences for their children’s mental health. Reed's allegations include instances of coercion and misleading practices by clinicians. The affidavit also highlights that some medical interventions continued even after parental consent was revoked, raising ethical concerns about the treatment of minors with pre-existing mental health conditions. Washington University, where Reed worked, has acknowledged performing surgeries on minors prior to the new laws, indicating ongoing referrals despite policy changes. As more states enact bans on such practices, others are implementing laws to protect medical providers from legal repercussions, creating a complex landscape of regulations regarding gender treatments for minors across the country.