FreeState Justice Responds to U.S. Supreme Court Decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti
Earlier this week, it was announced that the U.S. Supreme Court made a 6–3 ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti to uphold Tennessee’s law banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. This marks one of the most harmful federal decisions in recent history for LGBTQ+ rights. With this ruling, the Court has turned its back on a vulnerable population in urgent need of protection, setting a dangerous precedent that endangers access to care for so many across the country today.
This decision is not only blatantly discriminatory but a failure by the Court at its central mission of safeguarding the civil rights of people in this country. Phillip Westry, Executive Director of FreeState Justice, issued the following statement:
“This ruling is more than a setback; it is a betrayal of the legal principles of equality and justice that FreeState Justice fights to defend daily. Making it during a month meant for LGBTQ+ communities to express their Pride showcases just how far this Court has fallen in protecting the rights of this country’s most vulnerable. To the many transgender children and their families harmed by this decision, I say on behalf of this organization that you are not alone, that we will work in coalition with countless others to fight for you even more now. When our courts fail us, our communities must rise together. In moments like this, we are reminded that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over and that unity is our most powerful tool against discriminatory attacks like these.”
The decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti, while heartbreaking, in no way marks the end of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Instead, it is further evidence that LGBTQ+ individuals, coalitions, and organizations must work even harder together to build a future where transgender and LGBTQ+ people can live with safety and autonomy. Here in Maryland, we have already made vital strides to protect trans lives, expand access to affirming care, and push back against hate-driven legislation—and we will not stop. FreeState Justice will continue to spearhead this work with Pride, and we will fight every day until every state in this country has the rights Marylanders do today.





