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By Erica Zurek, MPR News

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender adolescents under the age of 18. The ruling does not have an impact on Minnesota law. Gender-affirming care remains legal and protected in the state.

In a 6-3 decision issued in United States v. Skrmetti, the court’s conservative majority concluded that Tennessee’s law did not violate equal protection principles, allowing states to regulate gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

Brittany Stewart, senior staff attorney at Gender Justice, said that while this ruling does not affect Minnesota law now, it could influence federal policy in the future.

“It leaves this decision up to states like Minnesota and does not change our law immediately,” Stewart said.

More than 30 major medical associations and health organizations worldwide support health care for transgender people and youth.

In recent years, 27 states have enacted laws that restrict access to gender-affirming care for youth. In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law protecting the rights of transgender individuals to seek and receive gender-affirming health care. The law remains in effect.