When the news broke, within minutes Schumer posted that the decision was a diversion from the terrible health care bill. As a mother, I started to cry. Trans kids are not diversions. They are loved by us strangers and family members. They were babies a mother gave birth to & there are mothers out there that would die for them. They are not a diversions. I’m still upset about Schumer’s post. It hurts.
Might I console you by saying "fuck Schumer!"? He is a dinosaur, sadly for my party, unable to feel the pain of what this administration and especially SCOTUS is inflicting on the people of our country. No one is a distraction. Every person in this country has rights. That is what he should be concerned about.
I’m in CA. Newsom made a good statement about protecting transgender folks. Gov of Washington made a nice statement. That’s what needed to happen immediately.
When the people lead, the politicians will follow. Very few politicians have the guts to lead on matters of justice. They misconstrue their duty to listen to all to mean they cannot get ahead of the less enlightened of their constituents.
Schumer continues to prove that he is a spineless, incompetent oxygen thief. He needs to step aside so the Dems can have an actual leader in the Sebate for the first time in decades.
"Every person in this country has rights. That is what he should be concerned about." Indeed.
The 6 radical right Supreme Court justices just sanctioned State discrimination. They usurped Art. 14 Sec 1, granting the right to States to abridge the rights and privileges afforded transgender families and deprive them of their right to to life, liberty and equal protection under law. They have, for the moment, limited the damage to a small niche segment of the population . But this is just the beginning of their plan to turn the United States into a Christian theocratic Oligarchy.
I disagree that people have normalized the discrimination. I think the problem is that we foresaw this decision since the oral argument, and so we weren’t surprised the way we were when Roe was overturned. Also, if you are like me and outraged about almost everything happening in America today, then you have almost no energy left to express more outrage. I am walking around and going about my business and also continually swearing to myself about the hellish things that are happening. That the Supreme Court did what it projected it would do just couldn’t move my outrage meter much more. That said, I am not complacent at all. I am sad and angry. But I am also forced to recognize that this Supreme Court will continue to disappoint me and that I am living through the conservative backlash to the wonderful years when the Supreme Court was expanding our constitutional rights.
Protesting helps with the outrage, it’s very cathartic and affirming to be with folks who are dealing with the same ongoing outrage. Hands Off and then Kings Day were a start, more to come. Our politicians will pay attention if the numbers keep growing…and I think the Supreme Court may have enough fear of their legacy to pay attention to public opinion…maybe.
Exactly. It was sex discrimination with Dobbs and it’s the same here. It’s clear discrimination and dehumanization of human beings. This corrupt and sadistic court hasn’t and will not change. That said, I think it’s even more reason for reproductive rights and trans communities to organize together and fight back.
I've been reading through some analyses of Skrmetti, and of all the infuriating parts the quote you highlighted from Roberts is perhaps the worst. There is so much support from actual legitimate medical institutions that has been brushed over in legislative "hearings" and ignored by media in favor of the drama of fringe loudmouths who offer rhetoric over evidence. This so-called "debate" is no such thing; it's been right wing interests fearmongering and setting the terms of the conversation against radio silence from progressives for years now.
You ask where the outrage is over Skrmetti, and I wonder that myself, but as a trans person the lack of resistance is unfortunately what I'm coming to expect at this point. As a person with a vested interest I'm able and willing to find plenty of resources about the reality of trans experiences and medical findings. However, while institutions like the NYT continue to set the narrative as "the concerned skeptic vs the unknown" without sharing the actuality of what gender affirming care is and does, I'm afraid that the issue will remain too fringe for most to investigate further. Especially now as chaos manifests erratically from endless directions from this administration. (This has always been their strategy--what was that Steve Bannon phrase again?)
Thank you for your continued work on this topic as well as this post in particular. Through this blog I've gained better understanding of how our judicial system works, and though things seem dire I find solace in understanding what is happening.
And thank you for not linking to the NYT; I have avoided giving them any clicks for awhile now and might encourage others who feel similarly to do the same.
They’re a bunch of fascist assholes. Millions of us support your right to exist. I’d be happy to literally physically fight for your right to exist against these fascist assholes. It’d be an honor—and I fear it’ll be necessary.
Thank you for this. One of my family members is trans and had she had the ability to understand where her psychological pain came from as a minor and the language to address it, and had her parents (me and her dad) had the same language available to parents of trans kids today, she would have been able to avoid a lot of anguish and painful transition processes. The lack of defense by Dems of the horrible Trump campaign trans attack ads was unforgivable, and the both sides-ism of the NYT has been indefensible. It’s a sorry state of moral decay in our country that people in power with the ability to provide a robust defense of a defenseless minority are silent in the face of so much bigotry. Successful scapegoating of a tiny minority will only lead to other scapegoats being identified and abused.
very well written, Chris. the NYT coverage on trans rights has been repulsive and weird. i’m not sure why they’ve been at this.
like fellow reader Shiela noted in a comment, i’m also appalled at the pathetic reaction by Schumer and others in elected leadership. i’m not sure what it’ll take for them to understand how bad this is.
Sorry, this is a revolting decision in so many ways. Are these right-wing ideologues in robes so devoid of humanity? Or do they find cruelty that appealing? This opinion is so offensive to me. I am heart-sick for all the suffering it will cause.
What's really great about this decision is how literally nobody will benefit from it. Nobody's life will improve. Nobody will be more employed or housing/food secure. Nobody will be less likely to die. Literally nothing good will come from this.
And yes, I'm including the opportunistic cowards who wrote these laws in the first place.
I'm devastated by the outcome. Because of those early rulings by lower courts, I was (foolishly) optimistic that these state laws (including Iowa's) would be struck down on the parental rights argument, and maybe also on the equal protection argument.
Where is the outrage? Apparently America has decided to start normalizing discrimination against “the lowest of the low” as it works up to a more publicly denigration of all the rest of the minorities is acceptable. Until only the right people (that is, white and heterosexual and Christian) is left.
Thank you for articulating how the NYT has created a veneer of respectability and neutrality in their extremely biased and anti-trans coverage for many years. I am terrified for the many families facing devastating choices as they work to support their trans kiddos who deserve all of the healthcare and acceptance in the world. 🌎 🏳️⚧️💔
The cruelty, hypocrisy, and ignorance of the highest court in the land are breathtaking and horrifying. This is an issue for the families involved, NOT the state, and any normal compassionate human sees that.
People who don't bat an eye at killing pregnant women were never going to care about kids committing suicide. And they certainly aren't going to have any mercy on any of the rest of us going forward either.
Uncertainty? Well I am uncertain whether these 'Christians' - and never ever forget that it's Christians who are doing this - are human beings or are demons who have taken human form, and should be dealt with accordingly. What do I need to do to get traction on that issue, so we can get a favorable political outcome or court opinion on the matter in a blue state?
There is risk and possible regret in many, if not most, medical decisions we humans make, and these are not , to my knowledge, withheld from minors who have parental permission. This includes surgeries of all kinds, chemotherapy, hormone therapy for endocrine disorders, to name only a few. Treatment is not categorically denied in these many instances because of risk or "uncertainty," and to do so would be considered negligent, if not cruel, by most reasonable people. So what makes gender care different, beyond the bias of ignorant and fearful people ?
And why should such people be allowed to stand in the way of the treatment of informed patients who need it? Politicians lack the medical expertise to propose such bans, and judges are sworn to uphold the legal commitment to equal treatment, not to twist the law in such a way as to bow to the prevailing ignorance, fear and, yes, cruelty. As in the issue of abortion, there is no place for the state in this intimate decision: STATE BUTT OUT!
Why isn't this practicing medicine without a license??? I am a retired surgeon and would be at risk if I even offered medical advice unlicensed. And where are the Medical boards and doctor revolts??? Medicine should NOT be legislated!
When the news broke, within minutes Schumer posted that the decision was a diversion from the terrible health care bill. As a mother, I started to cry. Trans kids are not diversions. They are loved by us strangers and family members. They were babies a mother gave birth to & there are mothers out there that would die for them. They are not a diversions. I’m still upset about Schumer’s post. It hurts.
Might I console you by saying "fuck Schumer!"? He is a dinosaur, sadly for my party, unable to feel the pain of what this administration and especially SCOTUS is inflicting on the people of our country. No one is a distraction. Every person in this country has rights. That is what he should be concerned about.
I’m in CA. Newsom made a good statement about protecting transgender folks. Gov of Washington made a nice statement. That’s what needed to happen immediately.
When the people lead, the politicians will follow. Very few politicians have the guts to lead on matters of justice. They misconstrue their duty to listen to all to mean they cannot get ahead of the less enlightened of their constituents.
Schumer continues to prove that he is a spineless, incompetent oxygen thief. He needs to step aside so the Dems can have an actual leader in the Sebate for the first time in decades.
"Every person in this country has rights. That is what he should be concerned about." Indeed.
The 6 radical right Supreme Court justices just sanctioned State discrimination. They usurped Art. 14 Sec 1, granting the right to States to abridge the rights and privileges afforded transgender families and deprive them of their right to to life, liberty and equal protection under law. They have, for the moment, limited the damage to a small niche segment of the population . But this is just the beginning of their plan to turn the United States into a Christian theocratic Oligarchy.
That's just awful, Sheila. As a stepmom of a trans man, my heart grieves.
Grieves with you
His Blue Sky post was so inappropriate.
Trans kids have been dehumanized. Low hanging fruit. No matter how “enlightened” a society we are … we seem to need someone on a lower rung.
I disagree that people have normalized the discrimination. I think the problem is that we foresaw this decision since the oral argument, and so we weren’t surprised the way we were when Roe was overturned. Also, if you are like me and outraged about almost everything happening in America today, then you have almost no energy left to express more outrage. I am walking around and going about my business and also continually swearing to myself about the hellish things that are happening. That the Supreme Court did what it projected it would do just couldn’t move my outrage meter much more. That said, I am not complacent at all. I am sad and angry. But I am also forced to recognize that this Supreme Court will continue to disappoint me and that I am living through the conservative backlash to the wonderful years when the Supreme Court was expanding our constitutional rights.
Excellent points! Sometimes exhaustion trumps outrage.
Protesting helps with the outrage, it’s very cathartic and affirming to be with folks who are dealing with the same ongoing outrage. Hands Off and then Kings Day were a start, more to come. Our politicians will pay attention if the numbers keep growing…and I think the Supreme Court may have enough fear of their legacy to pay attention to public opinion…maybe.
Agree.
This. So much this.
Exactly. It was sex discrimination with Dobbs and it’s the same here. It’s clear discrimination and dehumanization of human beings. This corrupt and sadistic court hasn’t and will not change. That said, I think it’s even more reason for reproductive rights and trans communities to organize together and fight back.
Take it out on every Trumper you know.
I've been reading through some analyses of Skrmetti, and of all the infuriating parts the quote you highlighted from Roberts is perhaps the worst. There is so much support from actual legitimate medical institutions that has been brushed over in legislative "hearings" and ignored by media in favor of the drama of fringe loudmouths who offer rhetoric over evidence. This so-called "debate" is no such thing; it's been right wing interests fearmongering and setting the terms of the conversation against radio silence from progressives for years now.
You ask where the outrage is over Skrmetti, and I wonder that myself, but as a trans person the lack of resistance is unfortunately what I'm coming to expect at this point. As a person with a vested interest I'm able and willing to find plenty of resources about the reality of trans experiences and medical findings. However, while institutions like the NYT continue to set the narrative as "the concerned skeptic vs the unknown" without sharing the actuality of what gender affirming care is and does, I'm afraid that the issue will remain too fringe for most to investigate further. Especially now as chaos manifests erratically from endless directions from this administration. (This has always been their strategy--what was that Steve Bannon phrase again?)
Thank you for your continued work on this topic as well as this post in particular. Through this blog I've gained better understanding of how our judicial system works, and though things seem dire I find solace in understanding what is happening.
And thank you for not linking to the NYT; I have avoided giving them any clicks for awhile now and might encourage others who feel similarly to do the same.
This is an administration that elevates puppy killers … consideration, much less compassion, is out of mind.
They’re a bunch of fascist assholes. Millions of us support your right to exist. I’d be happy to literally physically fight for your right to exist against these fascist assholes. It’d be an honor—and I fear it’ll be necessary.
Thank you for this. One of my family members is trans and had she had the ability to understand where her psychological pain came from as a minor and the language to address it, and had her parents (me and her dad) had the same language available to parents of trans kids today, she would have been able to avoid a lot of anguish and painful transition processes. The lack of defense by Dems of the horrible Trump campaign trans attack ads was unforgivable, and the both sides-ism of the NYT has been indefensible. It’s a sorry state of moral decay in our country that people in power with the ability to provide a robust defense of a defenseless minority are silent in the face of so much bigotry. Successful scapegoating of a tiny minority will only lead to other scapegoats being identified and abused.
very well written, Chris. the NYT coverage on trans rights has been repulsive and weird. i’m not sure why they’ve been at this.
like fellow reader Shiela noted in a comment, i’m also appalled at the pathetic reaction by Schumer and others in elected leadership. i’m not sure what it’ll take for them to understand how bad this is.
Sorry, this is a revolting decision in so many ways. Are these right-wing ideologues in robes so devoid of humanity? Or do they find cruelty that appealing? This opinion is so offensive to me. I am heart-sick for all the suffering it will cause.
What's really great about this decision is how literally nobody will benefit from it. Nobody's life will improve. Nobody will be more employed or housing/food secure. Nobody will be less likely to die. Literally nothing good will come from this.
And yes, I'm including the opportunistic cowards who wrote these laws in the first place.
I'm devastated by the outcome. Because of those early rulings by lower courts, I was (foolishly) optimistic that these state laws (including Iowa's) would be struck down on the parental rights argument, and maybe also on the equal protection argument.
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/federal-court-rulings-suggest-new
Apparently the Sixties and the future it projected was just too much for the elite SCOTUS to stomach. Hiya, Ike, Swanson’s again?
Where is the outrage? Apparently America has decided to start normalizing discrimination against “the lowest of the low” as it works up to a more publicly denigration of all the rest of the minorities is acceptable. Until only the right people (that is, white and heterosexual and Christian) is left.
And male, don't forget that part.
Female, too … but has to be pretty and sporting a gold cross necklace.
Please don't make me too ill to sleep.
You sleep anymore?
Thank you for articulating how the NYT has created a veneer of respectability and neutrality in their extremely biased and anti-trans coverage for many years. I am terrified for the many families facing devastating choices as they work to support their trans kiddos who deserve all of the healthcare and acceptance in the world. 🌎 🏳️⚧️💔
The cruelty, hypocrisy, and ignorance of the highest court in the land are breathtaking and horrifying. This is an issue for the families involved, NOT the state, and any normal compassionate human sees that.
Compassion? From a Republican court? Oh you dreamer!
People who don't bat an eye at killing pregnant women were never going to care about kids committing suicide. And they certainly aren't going to have any mercy on any of the rest of us going forward either.
Uncertainty? Well I am uncertain whether these 'Christians' - and never ever forget that it's Christians who are doing this - are human beings or are demons who have taken human form, and should be dealt with accordingly. What do I need to do to get traction on that issue, so we can get a favorable political outcome or court opinion on the matter in a blue state?
Pretty soon, a bounty on trans people?
It’s all disgraceful and will cause an increase in suicides among transgender youth denied medical care. Fuck right wing blowhards.
Practicing medicine without a license really shouldn’t happen at the Supreme Court.
There is risk and possible regret in many, if not most, medical decisions we humans make, and these are not , to my knowledge, withheld from minors who have parental permission. This includes surgeries of all kinds, chemotherapy, hormone therapy for endocrine disorders, to name only a few. Treatment is not categorically denied in these many instances because of risk or "uncertainty," and to do so would be considered negligent, if not cruel, by most reasonable people. So what makes gender care different, beyond the bias of ignorant and fearful people ?
And why should such people be allowed to stand in the way of the treatment of informed patients who need it? Politicians lack the medical expertise to propose such bans, and judges are sworn to uphold the legal commitment to equal treatment, not to twist the law in such a way as to bow to the prevailing ignorance, fear and, yes, cruelty. As in the issue of abortion, there is no place for the state in this intimate decision: STATE BUTT OUT!
Why isn't this practicing medicine without a license??? I am a retired surgeon and would be at risk if I even offered medical advice unlicensed. And where are the Medical boards and doctor revolts??? Medicine should NOT be legislated!