California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Condemns U.S. v. Skrmetti Supreme Court Ruling, Reaffirms Support for Transgender Youth and their Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Condemns U.S. v. Skrmetti Supreme Court Ruling, Reaffirms Support for Transgender Youth and their Families

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released the following statement in response to the United State Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti:

“Today’s United States Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti marks a shameful moment in our nation’s history – one that abandons transgender youth, undermines parental rights, and chips away at the very foundation of equal protection under the law.

By upholding Tennessee’s ban on medically necessary, evidence-based gender-affirming care for minors, the Court has not only turned its back on science, but on the lived realities of families seeking compassionate, professional, medically necessary healthcare. Let us be clear: this decision will cause real harm. It will deny life-saving care, deepen fear and isolation, and embolden extremist lawmakers across the country who seek to legislate transgender people out of public life.

California will not follow, and today’s ruling does not overturn California’s existing law that upholds youths’ and their families’ rights to accessing health care services.

In our state, we affirm the dignity and humanity of every youth. We trust families to make personal healthcare decisions in consultation with their health providers – not politicians. We will continue to defend access to gender-affirming care for all in our state.

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus stands in solidarity with our transgender youth and their families. To parents of targeted youth – please know that your right to guarantee your kid is able to access the utmost care is and will continue to be safeguarded in California. To impacted youth who feel scared, erased, or devalued after today’s ruling – you are not alone. We see you. We believe in you. We will never stop fighting for your right to exist, to thrive, and to access the care you need to live full, authentic lives. Our message is simple: All families deserve to provide their kids with the utmost and necessary care, and all youth deserve safety and a future – not just cisgender kids. 

This ruling may be a setback, but it is not the end of the fight. It is a call to action. We urge our allies in Congress, in statehouses across the country, and in every community to stand up and meet this moment with courage and compassion.”

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About the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LGBTQ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2023, our membership hit a new milestone of 12 members, becoming one of the largest LGBTQ Caucus in the Nation, and continues to remain strong. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. The LGBTQ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including differently abled bodies. Our Caucus is working diligently to support LGBTQ leaders that represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.

For more information on the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, please visit https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/ 

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