The United States Supreme Court engaged in oral arguments today for the case U.S. v. Skrmetti, which challenges Tennessee's prohibition on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Kara Ingelhart, a clinical assistant professor of law and founding director of the LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, described the case as "one of the most significant civil rights cases of our time."

Ingelhart noted that Tennessee is among approximately two dozen states that have enacted laws restricting healthcare options such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers for transgender and nonbinary adolescents. She emphasized that these medical interventions are still permitted for cisgender youths to address other medical conditions.

The LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic, serving as Counsel of Record, submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in September. The brief argues against characterizing gender-affirming care as experimental by citing its long-standing presence in American medical practice.

This amicus brief aligns with similar submissions from historians in past landmark cases like Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health (2021), Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), and Bostock v. Clayton County (2019), focusing on historical expertise related to medical practices.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Professor Ingelhart, contact Shanice Harris at shanice.harris@northwestern.edu.