The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request from the plaintiffs in L.W. v. Skrmetti on Thursday to block a Tennessee law banning “gender-affirming care” on minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and sex-change surgeries.
This evening, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s preliminary injunction in L.W. v. Skrmetti. As a result, Tennessee’s law that protects children from irreversible gender-related medical interventions remains in effect. pic.twitter.com/oWT69dwE6p
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) September 29, 2023
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti applauded the court’s ruling, saying, “This is a big win for democracy. Decisions that are not clearly resolved by the Constitution should be resolved by the people through their elected representatives. I am so proud of our team who stood strong against the overwhelming resources arrayed against Tennessee in this case.”
As a result of Thursday’s ruling, Skrmetti declared, “Tennessee’s law that protects children from irreversible gender-related medical interventions remains in effect.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing the plaintiffs in the case, also released a statement following Thursday’s ruling saying, “We are assessing our next steps and will take further action in defense of our clients and the constitutional rights of transgender people in Tennessee and across the country.”
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling reversed the district court’s preliminary injunction in the case of a stay request to block enforcement of the law, which took effect earlier this year in July, as previously reported by The Tennessee Star.
Skrmetti’s victory in the case was applauded by many Tennessee lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), who said he was “grateful for [Skrmetti’s] work to defend this law’s constitutionality and protect Tennessee kids.”
Johnson sponsored the legislation which was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee in March, enacted as the Prohibition on Medical Procedures Performed on Minors Related to Sexual Identity.
The Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition (TNFFC) also applauded the Court’s ruling, calling it a “massive victory for children and the rule of law” as well as a “massive rebuff to those that would seek to mutilate children and shred the laws of the state of Tennessee.”
“Jonathan Skrmetti and his team won this massive victory for children and Tennessee. We have nothing but the highest regard and praise for him and his team. This is not the first victory that General Skrmetti and team have won and given the diligence of that office, we expect many more to come,” the TNFFC added. “This victory underscores the importance of the Office of Attorney General. Attorney General Skrmetti and his team are shining examples of diligent and effective stewards of the defense of Tennessee, its laws, and the Constitution. Tennessee is truly blessed to have that office in such capable hands.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
