FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2025
Contact: Terence Stewart
Email: tstewart@atlantablackpride.org
Phone: 678-946-2075
Response to Supreme Court Ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti
ATLANTA, GA — Today, the United States Supreme Court delivered a devastating blow to transgender youth and their families with its ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti, upholding Tennessee’s discriminatory ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. The Court has failed in its fundamental duty to protect all Americans’ constitutional rights and freedoms.
Atlanta Black Pride and our Board of Directors stand in solidarity with transgender youth who now face an uncertain future. This ruling threatens access to medically necessary, life-saving healthcare supported by every major medical association.
The Human Impact
This decision reaches into the homes and hearts of families across Tennessee and beyond. Transgender youth may be forced to discontinue essential treatment. At the same time, parents face the impossible choice of relocating or watching their children suffer without necessary care. For Black and brown families who already face systemic healthcare barriers, this ruling compounds existing inequities. It creates additional obstacles for Black transgender youth who experience disproportionate discrimination and violence.
Dangerous Precedent
We are deeply concerned that this ruling will embolden other states to follow Tennessee’s lead in eroding healthcare rights based on gender identity. When politicians interfere in private medical decisions between families and their doctors, we undermine medical autonomy and parental rights, which our society claims to cherish.
Our Response
Atlanta Black Pride remains unwavering in our commitment to supporting transgender community members. We call upon elected officials to take immediate action to protect transgender youth and their families, including supporting legislation that enshrines the right to gender-affirming healthcare and opposing restrictions in Georgia and beyond.
We call upon our community to channel outrage into action by supporting transgender rights organizations, electing leaders who will stand for our community, and creating safe spaces for transgender youth and families.
Protecting Freedom
The Supreme Court’s role should be to protect freedom, not destroy it. The Court should guard constitutional rights for all Americans, not deny healthcare and dignity to vulnerable community members. Today’s ruling represents a fundamental failure of this responsibility.
The freedom to live authentically, access necessary healthcare, and make private medical decisions is a core American value that should not be subject to political whims or ideological leanings.
Moving Forward
While today’s ruling is a significant setback, it is not the end of our fight for justice and equality. The struggle for transgender rights is part of the broader movement for human dignity and civil liberties that has defined our community’s history. We will continue this fight as we have overcome previous challenges through persistence and unity.
Atlanta Black Pride calls upon all community members—LGBTQ+ and allied—to stand together in support of transgender youth and their families. We must create change through our votes, voices, and actions. Today’s setback will not define us—our response will.
For inquiries about the statement from Atlanta Black Pride, please contact Terence Stewart at tstewart@atlantablackpride.org.
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