Post Reports: A Trans Teen Takes Her Case to the Supreme Court – Detailed Summary
Published on December 3, 2024 by The Washington Post
Introduction
In the December 3, 2024 episode of Post Reports, hosted by Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi, the spotlight is on a pivotal Supreme Court case involving LW, a 16-year-old transgender teen from Tennessee. This case challenges the recent wave of state-level bans on gender transition care for minors, a contentious issue that has polarized the nation and significantly impacted thousands of families.
The Williams Family's Visit to Washington D.C.
The episode begins with the Williams family visiting Washington D.C., where their trip includes a leisurely tour of the Smithsonian museums. However, their visit serves a dual purpose beyond tourism.
Elahe Izadi introduces the family:
“[00:04] Elahe Izadi: Over the weekend, the Williams family came to Washington D.C. from Tennessee. And like so many other tourists, the Smithsonian museums were at the top of their to-do list.”
LW, the youngest member of the family, expresses her fascination with aircraft during their visit to the Air and Space Museum in Virginia.
“[00:36] LW: It's an SR71A, I guess is what this says. It's a giant jet. It is designed from my knowledge, to just be able to fly so high and fast that you cannot shoot it down.”
LW aspires to become a commercial pilot, sharing her love for the exhilarating feeling of takeoff.
“[00:55] Elahe Izadi: She told producer Ariel Plotnick what she loves about flying, that moment of weightlessness at liftoff.”
“[01:08] LW: Well, it's mostly just the fact that there's just the, like, taking off on a plane is so much fun. Like just the kind of feeling of it. I don't know. It's interesting.”
The Supreme Court Case: United States v. Skremetti
While the Williams family enjoys their time in D.C., they are concurrently preparing for a significant legal battle. Casey Parks, an LGBTQ issues reporter for The Washington Post, provides an overview of the case set to be heard by the Supreme Court.
“[01:27] Casey Parks: Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for the very first time on bans that roughly half the country has passed on what's called gender transition care. So these are essentially medications that might help transgender adolescents transition genders.”
The lawsuit, United States v. Skremetti, challenges Tennessee’s ban on gender transition care for minors, positioning LW and her family at the heart of the legal confrontation.
LW's Journey Before the Ban
Casey Parks delves into LW’s personal story, shedding light on her life before the legislative changes that upended her family.
“[05:13] Casey Parks: You know, they're pretty much a normal family. They live in East Nashville, Tennessee. LW is super smart and super creative in ways that some may think of as nerdy. She produces music. She designs her own board games.”
LW's understanding of her gender identity began in her early teens, inspired by a cousin who came out as transgender. Her journey towards self-identification was gradual and met with cautious support from her parents.
“[06:14] Casey Parks: So she started Lupron. So what that did is it basically said to her body, please don't go through male puberty.”
LW was initially prescribed Lupron, a puberty blocker, to halt the onset of male puberty, giving her and her family time to consider further steps.
Impact of the Tennessee Ban
The legislative landscape shifted dramatically when Tennessee lawmakers pre-filed a bill in 2023 aiming to ban gender transition care for minors, marking it as the first bill of the session.
“[10:00] Casey Parks: So as LW is going to Vanderbilt, starting puberty blockers and estrogen, that care is totally legal everywhere. No states had banned it. Most of the major medical organizations have endorsed this care as the appropriate action to treat kids like her.”
This ban not only halted LW’s access to necessary medical treatments but also thrust her family into a national political battle they had not sought.
“[11:08] Senator Johnson: All right, we do have a quorum. We have one bill today. Senator Johnson has Senate Bill 001.”
LW’s mother, Samantha Williams, eloquently voices the personal toll of the legislation during her testimony.
“[14:43] Samantha Williams: In this bill, the legislature is violating our rights as parents to make the best medical decisions for our child. ... Her joy, her smile, her confidence would not be what they are if it was not for the blockers that she's been on for a year and a half.”
Legal and Medical Context
Casey Parks outlines the broader context, highlighting that approximately half of U.S. states have enacted bans on gender transition care for minors since 2021. These bans have left over 100,000 children and their families scrambling for alternatives.
“[07:45] Elahe Izadi: And then what kind of medical care did LW receive at that point?”
“[08:34] Elahe Izadi: Like, hold the brakes.”
Medical professionals and major organizations advocate for gender transition care, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness. However, opposition from certain political factions has transformed it into a deeply polarized issue.
“[12:16] Casey Parks: Almost every major medical association has endorsed this care. They say this is an appropriate treatment for gender dysphoria.”
The Path to the Supreme Court
After Tennessee enacted the ban, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital preemptively shut down its transgender care clinic, complicating access for LW and similar patients.
“[16:17] Casey Parks: Before the bill became law, Vanderbilt just shut down its clinic.”
The Williams family navigated a fraught landscape, seeking medical providers in neighboring states until external factors like Hurricane Helene further disrupted their efforts.
LW and her family eventually filed a lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), leading to a district court ruling that the law was unconstitutional. The case, however, escalated through the appeals process, ultimately reaching the Supreme Court.
“[20:30] Elahe Izadi: So, pretty soon after Tennessee's governor signed the law LW's mom saw on, like, a Facebook post or something. ... a district court judge said, this law is unconstitutional.”
Supreme Court Arguments
On the eve of the Supreme Court hearing, Casey Parks provides an in-depth look at the legal arguments from both sides.
Plaintiffs' Argument:
The Williams family, represented by Chase Strangio of the ACLU, contends that the ban is discriminatory. They argue that since puberty blockers like Lupron are available to non-transgender children for different medical reasons, denying them to transgender youth constitutes unequal treatment.
“[24:19] Casey Parks: ... the family's lawyers have some additional argument. They are represented by the ACLU, specifically by the lawyer Chase Strangio, who is going to become the very first openly trans person to argue before the court.”
Strangio emphasizes the broader implications of the case, suggesting that a ruling against trans youth could pave the way for restrictions on other medical services.
“[25:26] Chase Strangio: This is really the opening to restrictions on access to contraception, on access to IVF, and other things we know that our opponents are pushing.”
Defense's Argument:
Tennessee’s Attorney General, Skremetti, argues that states possess the authority to regulate medical treatments and that such regulations are necessary to protect children from making potentially harmful decisions.
“[25:50] Casey Parks: So Skremetti, the Tennessee Attorney General, has argued that states have long had the power to regulate medications.”
Potential Outcomes and Implications
Given the conservative-leaning composition of the Supreme Court, expectations might suggest a favorable ruling for Tennessee. However, Casey Parks points out that past decisions have occasionally protected transgender rights even in conservative environments.
“[26:40] Casey Parks: Everyone knows this court leans conservative, so you would think this is gonna maybe be a slam dunk for the right. But this court has actually either ruled or declined to take cases that enshrined rights for transgender people.”
Moreover, intra-party dynamics reveal that some Republicans oppose the bans, arguing they infringe upon parental rights and bodily autonomy.
“[28:00] Elahe Izadi: So what will LW's family be doing on Wednesday? And LW, you know, as these oral arguments are going on and how are they feeling?”
“[29:32] Elahe Izadi: ... what are you looking to in the future in the coming months with both the outcome of this case and just what life will be like for LW and other trans people.”
Life After the Ban
The immediate aftermath of the ban saw LW’s access to medical care severely restricted, forcing her family to seek services out of state, incurring significant logistical and emotional burdens.
“[17:53] Elahe Izadi: So, like, she knows what she would be doing otherwise.”
“[17:58] Elahe Izadi: Did LW's family, did they ever consider leaving Tennessee after this law was passed?”
Despite the challenges, the Williams family chose to remain in Tennessee, valuing their community and support networks, although LW continues to face disruptions in her education and social life.
“[18:05] Casey Parks: ... it's a politically, it's not a place where my daughter feels safe.”
“[19:43] Casey Parks: ... Samantha and her husband Brian felt like, we can do this. We can put our faces out there.”
Supreme Court Hearing Day
On the day of the Supreme Court hearing, LW and her family approach the proceedings with a blend of hope and apprehension. LW remains focused on her daily life, striving to maintain normalcy amidst the high-stakes legal battle.
“[28:58] Samantha Williams: ... Her joy, her smile, her confidence would not be what they are if it was not for the blockers that she's been on for a year and a half.”
LW expresses both concern and resilience, acknowledging the gravity of the case while continuing to engage in typical teenage activities.
“[21:18] Casey Parks: ... she told me that she was a bit worried that she was going to be like Homer Plessy and, like, be a part of a case that enshrined discrimination.”
Looking Ahead
With a Supreme Court majority that leans conservative, the potential ruling could have far-reaching repercussions not only for transgender youth but also for other areas of healthcare and civil rights.
Casey Parks anticipates continued legal battles and legislative efforts targeting transgender rights, especially under the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled intentions to reverse progressive policies on gender-affirming care.
“[29:58] Casey Parks: So right-wing strategists have told me they think they've pretty much tapped out how many states will pass bans. So they have all along been looking to a federal ban or other federal regulations on trans young people.”
Despite the uncertainty, LW remains determined to support her community and navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing legal struggle.
“[31:37] Elahe Izadi: Yeah. Well, Casey, thank you so much for joining and sharing your reporting with us. I really appreciate it.”
Conclusion
The episode of Post Reports intricately weaves the personal narrative of the Williams family with the broader legal and political landscape surrounding gender transition care for minors. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear this landmark case, the outcome will not only define the rights and freedoms of transgender youth like LW but also set a precedent impacting various dimensions of healthcare and civil liberties in the United States.
Produced by Emma Talkoff and Ariel Plotnick, with contributions from Bishop Sand, Justin Gerrish, Maggie Penman, and Rena Flores.