National Black Justice Coalition Commends DOJ Challenge of Tennessee’s Discriminatory Ban on Transgender Youth Healthcare
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON – Following the announcement by the U.S. Justice Department that they filed a complaint challenging Tennessee Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), a recently enacted law that denies necessary medical care to transgender youth, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“We commend the Justice Department for taking a stand against the unjust and discriminatory Tennessee Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which targets the health and wellbeing of transgender youth, and violates their equal protection rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, going against the very principles of equality and justice that this country has been founded upon.
“The DOJ’s decision to challenge SB 1 is a significant and welcomed action toward thwarting the nationwide effort by GOP statehouses to legislate harm and target and terrify vulnerable communities. Transgender youth deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and denying them the medical care they need only exacerbates the stigma and discrimination they already face. Additionally, we know based on data that Black transgender youth face disproportionate mental health challenges that will likely be exacerbated. The equal protection clause ensures equal protection under the law. As a result, medical treatment available to some youth must be available to all. SB1 violates this constitutional protection.
“The National Black Justice Coalition remains in solidarity with the transgender community and will continue to fight against discriminatory laws like SB 1 until they are all overturned as violations of our constitutional rights. We applaud the Justice Department for challenging this harmful legislation and calling on lawmakers nationwide to prioritize the health and well-being of all individuals, including transgender youth.
“We must do better as a society to ensure that all individuals can affirm their right to exist as their authentic selves, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and have access to the care they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.”