U.S. Supreme Court upholds Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming care for minors

NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - In a landmark decision, a divided U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a Tennessee law restricting some medical treatments for transgender minors.

The law was challenged by the Biden Administration and three families.

In a major case, the Supreme Court considered a Tennessee law, passed in 2023, prohibiting treatments like puberty-blockers, hormone therapy and some surgeries for transgender minors.

Opponents have argued the treatments are lifesaving for transgender minors or those diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Samantha Williams' daughter is one of the children at the center of the case. She spoke to CBS News last year.

"Can't imagine her not on her medicine. She's a healthier, happier kid," Williams' expressed.

26 other states have laws with similar restrictions. Tennessee argued it has "a compelling interest in encouraging minors to appreciate their sex, particularly as they undergo puberty."

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court said Tennessee's law does not violate equal protection guaranteed by the constitution.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority saying in part, "Our role is not to judge the wisdom, fairness or logic of the law before us...We leave questions regarding its policy to the people, their elected representatives and the democratic process."

"This allows states to make the determination as to whether or not they will bar transgender minors or anyone to the court's point from obtaining certain medical treatment for gender transition therapy," said Jessica Levinson, legal analyst for CBS News.

Dissenting, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote with the decision, "The court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims."

The decision means that transgender minors and their parents who do want these treatments may have to cross state lines to places where the they remain legal.