Appeals Panel Upholds Tennessee Ban on Transgender Care for Minors

A federal appeals panel has allowed a Tennessee law banning hormone therapy and puberty blockers for transgender youth to go into effect, marking the first time a federal court has fully upheld such a law in the United States. The ruling comes after a district court judge temporarily blocked the ban, and a final decision on the broader appeal is expected before September 30. The decision is a blow to transgender youth and their families, who have relied on the judiciary to block laws targeting transition care. It highlights the uncertain landscape for transgender rights and access to healthcare, as conservative-led states enact laws restricting LGBTQ rights.