In a 6-3 ruling, the United States Supreme Court has upheld a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors, drawing sharp criticism from advocates and lawmakers, including Minneapolis's Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez. The decision, delivered on Wednesday, has been described by Chavez as "an assault on the rights of our trans youth and residents." He further expressed concern that this ruling could encourage other states to adopt similar restrictions.
The ruling dovetails with the recent announcement from the Trump administration stating that the specific section of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth, known as the “Press 3 option,” will be cut off starting July 17. Chavez pointed out that, while the main services of the 988 Lifeline will continue, the loss of this dedicated support for LGBTQ+ youth is a significant blow. "We’ve never been able to depend on the federal government to protect all of us," Chavez said, "and that is even more true under this Trump administration." Acknowledging the impact of these developments, he encouraged those who can to seek out and support organizations that provide aid to transgender youth.
In response to the Supreme Court ruling and the Lifeline service change, Chavez reaffirmed his commitment to trans rights. According to Chavez's social media post, he stated, "trans rights are human rights." He pledged to ensure that Minneapolis stands as a sanctuary for gender-affirming healthcare and to continue funding mental health programs for the LGBTQIA+ community.
While the main 988 number remains operational, the absence of the specialized service for LGBTQ+ youth is seen as a detrimental move, Chavez noted that existing city resources for mental health and support are still accessible. For more information, he directed residents to look up resources provided on the City’s website, as mentioned in his Facebook comment section. This latest Supreme Court decision and the changes to the crisis line have raised numerous questions and concerns, particularly regarding the safety and well-being of transgender youth in an ever-changing legal landscape.
