Trump-Era Transgender Health Policies and Supreme Court Ruling Stir Strong Reactions in Columbus

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision on June 18 to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender‑affirming medical care for transgender minors has reignited debate over transgender rights in Columbus and beyond. The ruling upheld a law prohibiting puberty blockers and hormone treatments for minors, setting a precedent that could shield similar bans in 26 other states. The decision marks the first time the court has permitted a statewide ban on gender-affirming care to take full effect, underscoring a growing national divide on transgender rights and healthcare access.

While the Tennessee law directly applies only to that state, its ripple effects are being felt in Georgia, where state-level bans already restrict gender-affirming treatments for minors. The Supreme Court’s majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, stated the ban did not violate the Equal Protection Clause, framing it as a matter of “contested medical and policy.”

“I feel like they’re playing politics with our children’s lives,” said Natalie Perez, a Columbus mother whose 14-year-old daughter came out as transgender last year. “My daughter deserves to access the care that doctors and specialists have recommended. Instead, the government is making that decision for her.”

The ruling comes amid ongoing enforcement of Executive Order 14187, issued by Trump earlier this year, which instructs federal agencies to prioritize therapy over medical intervention for transgender youth. The order also limits federal funding for gender-affirming treatments and reinforces religious exemptions for healthcare providers who object to treating transgender patients.

Supporters of the court's decision and Trump’s order say the measures are designed to protect children from making irreversible decisions too early in life.

“I’m not against trans people at all,” said Josh Blake, a father of three from North Columbus. “But I do think we need to be careful about what kind of treatments are given to kids. These are permanent changes, and they’re too young to fully understand the consequences.”

However, critics argue that the policies are based more on ideology than science.

“Decisions like this make me feel less safe as a trans person living in Georgia,” said Cameron Lee, a 19-year-old Columbus State University student. “It sends a message that our identities are up for debate.”

Though Georgia already passed legislation in 2023, Senate Bill 140, restricting certain gender-affirming procedures for minors, the Supreme Court decision gives legal momentum to similar restrictions across the country, many of which are now shielded from constitutional challenges.

This momentum has drawn sharp pushback from some Georgia lawmakers. In April, House Democrats staged a walkout in protest of what they called discriminatory legislation targeting transgender individuals. Among them was Minority House Leader Carolyn Hugley of Columbus, who criticized the GOP-backed bills as political posturing.

“We came here to focus on the opportunity for Georgians to live, learn and earn. And what do we get? Bills that want to legalize discrimination. What do we get? A whole lot of nothing,” Hugley said during the walkout. “Our citizens deserve better than this. I’ve been in these halls for over 30 years, and I know that we can be better than this.” The protest underscored the deep partisan divide over how transgender rights are being addressed in Georgia’s statehouse.

These issues have also stirred local activism. Earlier this spring, demonstrators gathered outside the Columbus City Services Center as part of a statewide “Trans Youth Matter” campaign, holding signs with slogans such as “Let Doctors Decide, Not Politicians” and “Healthcare Is a Right.”

Still, some residents believe the conversation has become too polarized.

“I don’t think it’s hateful to want time and caution,” said Lisa Morgan, a Columbus resident who says she’s undecided on the issue. “But I also don’t think politicians should be in the exam room either. It’s complicated.”

As courts prepare to hear more cases on the legality of state-level bans, including whether they violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, families across Georgia say they are bracing for further changes.

For locals such as Perez and her daughter, the road ahead remains uncertain.

“We just want to live,” she said. “We just want the freedom to make our own choices, like everyone else.”