Supreme Court lets Idaho enforce law criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors
Advocate.comApr 16
SCOTUS Allows Ban on Gender Transition for Minors in Idaho
The Facts
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled on Monday to allow Idaho to implement its ban on gender transition treatments for minors while the state waits for pending lawsuits to proceed.
Passed in April 2023, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. However, an Idaho district court issued an injunction after two families with transgender children filed a lawsuit challenging the bill.
The Spin
Left narrative
The Supreme Court's conservative agenda has once again prevailed, now making the provision of necessary care a crime worthy of up to ten years in prison and a $5K fine. By limiting medical access only to the plaintiffs, the court has chosen to ignore the law's constitutional incompatibility, placing thousands of families into crisis and inadvertently risking publicizing the identities of the case's anonymous minors as they continue their treatment.
Right narrative
This decision is a win for both Idaho Republicans and those who seek to protect children suffering from their mental health and sexual identity nationwide. There is very little scientific evidence that supports giving life-altering treatment to children and, far too often, children are manipulated into making decisions that they will later regret. This ruling will help protect minors from additional trauma and mental distress.
Nerd narrative
There is a 20% chance that an openly LGBTQ person will be elected President of the United States by 2041, according to the Metaculus prediction community.