06/19/2025
Here is a public statement in response to yesterday's Supreme Court Decision to uphold Tennessee's Anti-Trans Youth Health Care.
Please distribute your own response statements.
As a Pastor and resident of Tennessee, I am deeply saddened by the anti-trans, discriminatory legislation that came out of Tennessee and has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Rather than protecting ALL children, this legislation causes harm to those who identify as transgender and causes harm to the parents who seek to provide compassionate and appropriate health care for their child.
Many of these children were already accessing gender-affirming care, which was then taken away from them, causing great emotional and physical distress. Some parents have made or are making the difficult decision to leave this state and move where their child (and family) will be safer and can receive the care needed. No parent is forcing their child to transition. A loving parent wants their child to be healthy and happy, which may include the need for puberty blockers and gender-affirming care. Too many trans youth have already taken their lives due to stigmatization, alienation, and discrimination.
As a Pastor, I am tired of hearing the arguments that God gave us these bodies and we should not change them. Tell that to those who seek cosmetic plastic surgery or weight loss surgery, or those who lengthen their earlobes or get piercings or tattoos. Humanity has always done things that alter the human body. History also illustrates the presence of transgender people in every culture long before the medical advances of today. Trans people have always been here and always will. We can make life better for our neighbors or we can make it worse.
We are in an unprecedented time of encouraging and legislating discrimination. My faith teaches me to stand up for justice for “the least of these.” Therefore, I must speak in the name of love on behalf of trans children and the families who love and support them. I am troubled that our Supreme Court and the State of Tennessee have become so influenced by Christian Nationalism and so-called conservative values that they no longer support medical decisions being between a patient and their doctor, or in the case of a minor, between the patient, their parents, and their medical provider. The State and the Supreme Court are wrong. This is not justice for trans youths or their families.
And now Tennessee is looking at taking this further. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wants to further restrict access to lifesaving care with H.R. 3492. This bill targets licensed medical providers by criminalizing the provision of transition-related health care for youth. This only further stokes fear and creates alienation. Access to health care should be a right for ALL people. We can do better. We must do better.
Rev. Colleen Darraugh
Lead Pastor
Metropolitan Community Church of Knoxville
MCCKnoxville.org
