transgender

With new restrictions on gender-affirming care, prisons confiscate underwear from transgender inmates and compel them to cut their hair.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday in a case involving Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for people under age 18.

The plaintiffs are challenging restrictions on Medicaid coverage for hormone therapy and puberty blockers. The lawsuit claims the ban violates federal laws and the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.

A federal appeals court will hear arguments Jan. 15 in a legal battle about restrictions on treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The denial means the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children with gender dysphoria will remain restricted while the federal appeals court considers an underlying case.

Spektrum Health was prepared to adjust how it provides care for when Florida’s ban on transgender therapies returned.

Tampa-based U.S. District Judge William Jung issued an injunction in July to halt the rule, which was designed to help prevent discrimination in health care programs that receive federal money.

The stay means the state's restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors with gender dysphoria can be in effect while the Atlanta-based court considers an underlying appeal.

The decision could be important for a legal battle over a Florida law that prevents minors from receiving hormone therapy and puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria.

A district judge in June said Florida's law restricting access to gender-affirming care was unconstitutional. Lawyers for plaintiffs and their families say even a temporary rollback on that decision is "devastating."