Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Landmark Transgender Discrimination Case

Anti-transgender laws caused up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth

December 4, 2024 – Today, The Supreme Court of the United States hears oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, a case that will determine whether a Tennessee law — that bans certain medicines for transgender youth that are readily available for all other youth — is unconstitutional discrimination. 

Jaymes Black (they/she/he), CEO at The Trevor Project, shared the following statement in response:
“Banning medicines for only transgender youth that are available to all other young people is discrimination, plain and simple. While the day-to-day lives of transgender and nonbinary people have become increasingly politicized, our ability to access the medicine we need to lead healthy lives should not be up for debate. 

This case will have a major impact on the mental health of young people all across the U.S. The Trevor Project’s researchers published a peer-reviewed study in September that found anti-transgender state laws – like the one at the center of this case – directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%. Transgender young people are not inherently prone to suicide risk compared to other youth; rather, the unique anti-transgender stigma and discrimination they face are what lead to these disparities.

It’s common sense that the Tennessee law in question is unconstitutional, and the Court must strike it down. In doing so, they will affirm that the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on discrimination applies to all Americans, including those who happen to be transgender.”

Relevant research:

• A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Nature Human Behaviour from researchers at The Trevor Project found that anti-transgender state laws, such as the Tennessee law in this case, directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%.
• A 2022 peer-reviewed study in The Journal of Adolescent Health from researchers at The Trevor Project found gender-affirming hormone therapy was significantly related to lower rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary young people.
• The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People found nearly half (45%) of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they or their family have considered moving to a different state due to anti-LGBTQ+ politics and laws.
• The overwhelming majority of transgender youth who received puberty blockers, hormones or other gender-affirming medical care report being satisfied with treatment and go on to live happy, healthy lives.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.