ACPeds Supports SCOTUS Ruling Affirming States’ Right to Protect Gender-Dysphoric Youth

For More Information Contact: connect@acpeds.org

Atlanta, GA — We are grateful for today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Skrmetti, which affirms the right of states to protect gender-confused and gender-dysphoric children from experimental and irreversible gender “transition” procedures from one sex to the other—or to no sex at all.

Dr. Jill Simons, Executive Director of ACPeds, states:

“The American College of Pediatricians was honored to support the state of Tennessee in this case by filing an amicus brief presenting scientific, evidence-based analysis on the risks of sex-rejecting interventions in minors. Our brief offered the Court essential medical context to support state efforts to protect vulnerable children by focusing on what is truly best—pediatric care free from transgender ideology.”

While the majority clearly notes the strong debate over these issues, we especially appreciate Justice Thomas’s thorough review of recent scientific studies, highlighting the serious harms of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical efforts to “transition a child.”

In addition to citing specific harms, including those noted by Dr. Michelle Cretella, chair of the ACPeds Adolescent Sexuality Committee—such as decreased bone density and impaired brain development—Justice Thomas also calls out the political bias behind WPATH’s so-called “standards of care.” Internal WPATH files reveal that the scientific evidence not only fails to support but often conflicts with its own published guidance.

States like Tennessee and more than 20 others should be commended for acting to protect children amid rising rates of gender confusion. Their efforts demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that sound science, not ideology, drives medical care.

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