As the U.S. Supreme Court launched its new session in October 2024, LGBTQ+ rights took center stage with multiple high-profile cases concerning transgender healthcare and parental rights. These cases have the potential to reshape the landscape for LGBTQ+ protections and the broader civil rights movement. Here’s what’s at stake:

One of the key cases, U.S. v. Tennessee, involves a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which the state’s legislature passed earlier in the year. This law, like those in over 20 other states, prohibits treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for individuals under 18. Advocates argue that denying minors access to such care endangers their mental health and violates their constitutional rights under the Equal Protection Clause. In response, the Department of Justice is challenging the law on behalf of affected families, asserting that it constitutes unlawful discrimination based on gender identity.

This case is pivotal because it will test the extent to which states can regulate medical care related to gender identity. A ruling in favor of Tennessee could embolden other states to pass similar laws, further restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. On the other hand, a decision against the ban could cement legal protections for transgender minors across the country, setting a precedent that could invalidate other state-level restrictions.

Alongside this, the court is also considering another LGBTQ+ case, Ames v. Ohio, where a heterosexual employee alleges that her workplace unfairly promoted LGBTQ+ colleagues over her. The outcome of this case could redefine how anti-discrimination laws apply in instances where a majority group member claims bias in favor of a minority, adding further complexity to employment discrimination cases based on sexual orientation.

The stakes of these cases extend beyond the LGBTQ+ community. A ruling that limits access to healthcare for trans individuals could set a broader precedent about the limits of states’ rights versus federal protections under the Constitution. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including GLAD and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, have rallied in support of the challenges to Tennessee’s law, warning of the human cost if such bans are upheld.

With the backdrop of these legal battles, the larger culture war over trans rights continues to simmer. Republican lawmakers have introduced a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws this year, with the majority targeting transgender individuals, particularly youth. As these cases move through the courts, they will be closely watched not only by the LGBTQ+ community but also by civil rights advocates and legal scholars.

In a term likely to make history, these Supreme Court cases will be a major litmus test for the future of LGBTQ+ rights in America.