In Wake of Harmful Skrmetti Supreme Court Ruling, Disability Rights California Stands in Support of Healthcare for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth

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Jun 18, 2025

In Wake of Harmful Skrmetti Supreme Court Ruling, Disability Rights California Stands in Support of Healthcare for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth

The US Supreme Court Building with the Trans colors overlayed on top.

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States released its decision in United States Of America, Petitioner v. Jonathan Thomas Skrmetti, et al., a case about healthcare and autonomy. Specifically, Skrmetti challenged a blanket ban on hormone therapy for gender-affirming care for youth in Tennessee. The Supreme Court issued a profoundly disappointing ruling by allowing the cruel ban to remain in effect.  

Disability Rights California (DRC) affirms its support of transgender, gender expansive, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, and the intersex communities. Further, we stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations serving at the front lines during frequent attacks on the community’s autonomy, freedom from discrimination, and right to equal access in the community. 

“Six Justices on the US Supreme Court have interpreted the Constitution today in a manner that supports and facilitates discrimination against transgender people of all ages,” states Andy Imparato, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DRC. “For transgender people with disabilities, today’s ruling sends a devastating message that they do not have the same rights and privileges that most cisgender able-bodied people take for granted.  Health care should be about healing and responding to the needs of patients, not inserting a State’s ideology into the doctor-patient relationship.  Disability Rights California will continue to advocate for better appointments to the US Supreme Court and for State laws and regulations that make it clear that discrimination against transgender people of any age continues to be illegal in California.” 

Beck Levin, Diversity Coordinator states in response to the ruling: “As a transgender non-binary person who volunteers for organizations like Trans Family Support Services (which creates spaces for trans/gender expansive youth and their families), I find this ruling deeply unsettling. Time and time again, I have found that providing a supportive, loving environment that includes bodily autonomy is integral for all youth to thrive. The Supreme Court has taken away the autonomy of Tennessee's transgender and gender-expansive youth and their families to make lifesaving, affirming changes to their body. This, in a country where being visibly trans is not supported by a wide variety of people and institutions.” 

When any community member is prohibited from life-saving healthcare, it is our duty to stand together and push back. An estimated 60% of transgender individuals self-identify as disabled, a disproportionately higher rate than the general population of California due in great part to healthcare discrimination. Around 5.6% of DRC’s active clients identify as a gender other than cisgender male or cisgender female. This further underscores that gender expansive people make up a relatively small portion of the population but are disproportionately targeted and used as scapegoats for lawmakers. Kendra J. Muller, attorney from the Civil Rights Practice Group states: “The Supreme Court’s ruling in Skrmetti continues the harrowing dismantlement of U.S. civil rights protections for protected classes. Instead of protecting vulnerable communities, the Supreme Court opens the door for states to increase their power and undue influence to claim future laws banning gender affirming care only need any legitimate government purpose to stand. As a trans nonbinary attorney, I am proud of the communities’ resilience and power exemplified by their continued fight for autonomy and equal rights in light of continued attacks.” 

Healthcare for transgender youth results in better health, improvement in areas of life such as positive, healthy relationships, increases in school outcomes, and increased participation in the community. Hormone therapy is safe, effective, and even lifesaving for many transgender people experiencing gender dysphoria, including youth.1 

This ruling may have broader impacts than just the gender-expansive community. For example, cisgender individuals use hormone replacement therapy for medical issues such as menopause, prostate cancer,2 or even what would be considered gender affirming care to further align themselves with their identity at birth.3

DRC is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have equitable access to healthcare, including gender affirming care and mental health care. We must keep fighting to ensure all individuals have the autonomy to make self-determined decisions about their lives and health.

We encourage you to learn more by reading the following: 

We encourage you to support 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and community members. See the community responses below: 

Media Contact

Sam Mickens
Director of Communications
(646) 945-0918
Sam.Mickens@disabilityrightsca.org

 

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. For more information visit: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org.