NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Justice Department on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s new ban. Transgender youth do not receive gender-affirming careone of several laws in the state’s Republican-controlled state legislature Enacted this year for LGBTQ people.
The federal government is seeking to invalidate the law because “no one should be denied access to necessary health care simply because they are transgender.” It said it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution by discriminating on the basis of both.
“The right to discuss one’s health and medically approved treatment options with family members and physicians includes transgender children who are particularly at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide. , is a right that everyone should have,” Clark added.
The federal lawsuit comes after Clark sent letters last month to all state attorneys general warning them that federal law protects transgender youth from discrimination. Intervened in a lawsuit challenging a similar ban on transgender medical care.
Republican Governor Bill Lee approved a ban on gender-affirming care for minors earlier this year. The bill was the first proposal to be submitted to parliament this year. Republican leaders responded last year after a video was posted on social media in which a Nashville doctor touted gender reassignment surgery as a “huge money maker” for hospitals. The hospital has since suspended transgender services for young people.
Republicans also Strictly restrict where drag can appear This makes Tennessee the first state to do so. A federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the law.
Nationally, Republican lawmakers have proposed hundreds of laws targeting transgender people, and at least 14 states have restricted or banned gender-affirming care for minors.
Tennessee law — scheduled to go into effect July 1 — prohibits physicians from prescribing puberty blockers or hormones or from providing other gender-affirming care to anyone under the age of 18. increase. When patient care begins before the law comes into force. In that case, care must be completed for him by March 31, 2024.
Health care providers who violate the ban are subject to regulation and can be sued by state attorneys general or private individuals. Violations will fine him $25,000.
A spokesperson for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office did not immediately request comment.
The Justice Department lawsuit is the second complaint challenging the new Tennessee law. last week, 3 transgender children and their parents It sued the state, accusing it of violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment because the law excludes treatments for gender dysphoria but allows the same treatments to be used for other conditions. claimed.
