The federal government is challenging a Tennessee law that prohibits puberty blockers and medical treatments for transgender minors, arguing that it violates the equal protection clause. The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing in United States v. Skrmetti for December 4, with the court’s announcement made on October 18. Respondent Jonathan Skrmetti, the attorney general of Tennessee, will be involved in the case.
Numerous states have passed legislation related to transgender individuals’ treatments, participation in school sports, use of gender-specific bathrooms, and drag shows. According to the Movement Advancement Project, at least 24 states have implemented laws banning transgender surgery for minors, while 16 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation to protect youth access to transgender medical treatment.
The federal government filed a petition with the Supreme Court in November 2023, seeking a review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit’s decision to uphold Tennessee Senate Bill 1. This legislation prohibits medical treatments intended to allow minors to identify with a different gender or to address discomfort related to their gender identity. U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued that the state law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Tennessee law has faced legal challenges, with U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson temporarily blocking its enforcement in June 2023. Richardson ruled that the ban was unconstitutional as it infringed upon parents’ right to direct the medical care of their children. However, the Sixth Circuit overturned the injunction in July 2023, stating that it affected too many residents of the state.
The Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on the case by June 2025. Please rephrase this sentence.
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