—"We will celebrate our strength, joy, and resilience across Nevada even in the face of adversity.”
Trans Support Reno co-facilitator Alice D'Amoureux
The Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti was devastating for the trans community, but it will not impact health care for trans people in Nevada, who still have every right under our state’s Constitution and laws that we had last Pride Month.
The Skrmetti case was a challenge brought by three transgender adolescents, their families, and a Memphis-based medical provider against a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming hormone therapies for transgender people under 18. SCOTUS agreed with parts of the Sixth Circuit’s opinion that allowed the law to take effect, holding that Tennessee’s SB1 does not draw a sex-based (or a trans status-based) line and thus only necessitates deferential review by the courts.
That means SB1 can remain in effect. Notably, however, the decision is based on the record in and context of the Tennessee case and does not extend to other cases concerning discrimination based on transgender status.
The ruling could have been a lot worse, but that's cold comfort. I know that these kinds of health care bans weaken a state’s medical systems, hurt people’s health, and take away every family’s freedom to make the best choices for themselves without interference. We have to keep keep fighting; our community can never let these kinds of bans come to Nevada.
In response to the ruling, we held Community Circle gatherings in Reno and Las Vegas where trans folks, LGBTQ+ Nevadans, and our straight allies could come together and share our feelings. We were delighted to share space with some of the coolest trans and gender nonconforming people in Nevada!
“Nevada’s LGBTQ+ community will not be bullied, especially during Pride, a time meant to celebrate our community and how far we’ve come," said Trans Support Reno co-facilitator Alice D'Amoureux (links to Instagram). "We refuse to tolerate bullying, even from organizations as powerful as the federal government or the Supreme Court. All the diversity in our community, and all the ways that we take care of each other, have always been a source of our strength, and when we stand in solidarity and community, nothing can stop us from being proud and free. We will celebrate our strength, joy, and resilience across Nevada even in the face of adversity.”
Political attacks on the rights of trans people are unlikely to decrease in volume or venom any time soon, but I have faith in my community's resilience. And I know my colleagues at the ACLU of Nevada are here for the fight for everyone's rights.
“This decision is part of a broad effort to villainize yet another marginalized group in an effort to undermine civil rights and civil liberties," our executive director, Athar Haseebullah said. "In states like Nevada, where individual protections provide more constitutional liberties for our community members than in other states, we will assess impact and will challenge discriminatory policies when they arise. To members of our trans community who continue to face an onslaught of political attacks from the far right and silence from other elected officials who refuse to speak up when you are being attacked, know that you are not in this alone. My team and I will continue to fight for your equality and we will defend your liberty without pause.”
