Rochester, NY – In a landmark 6-3 decision, the United States Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s law protecting minors from irreversible gender-transition procedures. The decision in Skrmetti v. United States affirms a state’s right to safeguard children from harmful medical interventions promoted under the banner of so-called “gender-affirming care.”
Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director of New York Families Foundation, issued the following statement in response to the ruling:
“Today’s decision is a devastating blow to the absurdity of the transgender movement’s reach into childhood. The Supreme Court has rightly affirmed that states have not only the authority—but the responsibility—to protect minors from experimental medical procedures that can result in permanent sterility, loss of sexual function, and a lifetime of regret. This is a win for children, for common sense, and for those of us who refuse to cede our culture to ideological fantasy.”
The Court ruled that Tennessee’s law does not violate the Constitution. As such, states like New York can and should follow suit in protecting their children. Rather than being forced to rubber-stamp ideological medicine, states may now enact reasonable guardrails based on biology and developmental science.
McGuire continued:
“There is a growing mountain of evidence—both scientific and testimonial—showing that ‘gender-affirming care’ is neither affirming nor caring. The irreversible damage inflicted on young people in the name of identity politics is a national scandal. No compassionate society should permit confused children to be sterilized or mutilated before they can legally vote or drive a car.”
Still, McGuire emphasized compassion for those who are struggling:
“Let me be clear: this is not a moment for mockery or cruelty. Our hearts break for those caught in the grip of gender confusion. Many of them have been misled by a culture that prizes feelings over facts and ideology over biology. We must respond with both truth and tenderness, offering pathways to healing and wholeness—not hormones and surgeries.”
While some Democratic lawmakers in New York have aggressively advanced transgender policies, including proposals to create state-funded “gender-affirming care” programs, the Skremetti decision gives constitutional cover for lawmakers willing to push back.
McGuire concluded:
“Today, the highest court in the land sided with sanity. Tomorrow, New York lawmakers must decide whether they will side with science and parents—or double down on medical experiments masquerading as care. New York Families Foundation will continue to equip and empower New Yorkers of faith to stand in that gap.”
New York Families Foundation celebrates this victory and renews our commitment to protecting vulnerable children from ideologically-driven harm.