US supreme court upholds Tennessee ban on youth gender-affirming care
A Tennessee state law banning gender-affirming care for minors can stand, the US supreme court has ruled, a devastating loss for trans rights supporters in a case that could set a precedent for dozens of other lawsuits involving the rights of transgender children.The case, United States v Skrmetti, was filed last year by three families of trans children and a provider of gender-affirming care.In oral arguments, the plaintiffs – as well as the US government, then helmed by Joe Biden – argued that Tennessee’s law constituted sex-based discrimination and thus violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment.Under Tennessee’s law, someone assigned female at birth could not be prescribed testosterone, but someone assigned male at birth could receive those drugs.Tennessee, meanwhile, has argued that the ban is necessary to protect children from what it termed “experimental” medical treatment.
During arguments, the conservative justices seemed sympathetic to that concern, although every major medical and mental health organization in the US has found that gender-affirming care can be evidence-based and medically necessary.These groups also oppose political bans on such care.All six of the supreme court’s conservative justices joined in at least part of the decision to uphold the law, although several also wrote their own concurring opinions.In his majority decision, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that the ruling primarily rested on the justices’ finding that the law did not violate the equal protection clause, rather than on an ideological opposition to trans rights.“This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field.
The voices in these debates raise sincere concerns; the implications for all are profound,” Roberts wrote.He added: “We leave questions regarding its policy to the people, their elected representatives, and the democratic process.”In recent years, the question of transgender children and their rights has consumed an outsized amount of rightwing political discourse.Since 2021, 26 states have passed bans on gender-affirming care for minors, affecting nearly 40% of trans youth in the US.Twenty-six states have also outlawed trans kids from playing on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity.
Many of these restrictions have been paused by court challenges, but the supreme court’s decision could have vast implications for those lawsuits’ futures.A study by the Trevor Project, a mental health non-profit that aims to help LGBTQ+ kids, found that anti-trans laws are linked to a 72% increase of suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth.Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the majority opinion, alongside Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan.Because the law discriminates on the basis of sex, Sotomayor argued in her dissent, it should face higher legal scrutiny than the majority decided to give it.“Male (but not female) adolescents can receive medicines that help them look like boys, and female (but not male) adolescents can receive medicines that help them look like girls,” Sotomayor wrote.
“By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the Court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.In sadness, I dissent.”
Royal Ascot 2025 day two: Ombudsman rules in Prince of Wales’s Stakes – as it happened
Day two done and the sun is shining stronger than ever. It seems a long time ago now but Aidan O’Brien started the day with a very impressive winner in True Love. The O’Brien-trained favourite Los Angeles failed to fire in the big race, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and glory went to John Gosden and Ombudsman. Those hoping for a royal winner were again denied when, after yesterday’s debacle with Reaching High the favourite Rainbows Edge blew out in the 5.35pm race
Four leading British basketball clubs blocked from Europe as civil war deepens
The civil war engulfing British Basketball has intensified with the British Basketball Federation attempting to block four of the country’s leading clubs from competing in Europe next season.The Guardian has learned that the BBF is refusing to endorse applications for European places made by Manchester Basketball, London Lions, Newcastle Eagles and Bristol Flyers, which has put their participation at risk.In another development, it is being claimed that the BBF is threatening to thwart visa applications for overseas players for next season made by a number of Super League Basketball clubs.The BBF and clubs are at loggerheads after the governing body last month awarded a 15-year licence to operate a new Great Britain Basketball League from the 2026-27 season to an American consortium led by the former NBA executive Marshall Glickman. The nine existing SLB clubs are refusing to join, and have had their interim licence to run their own league next season suspended by the BBF
Chaotic State of Origin Game 2 gives exhilarating glimpse into excess | Jack Snape
Moderation is often cited as the secret to a long and fulfilling life. Semi-regular exercise. The odd glass of red wine. Precious time with family and friends. And no more than a sprinkling of Cameron Munster
‘It’s going to be pretty monumental’: Harry Potter eyes Wallabies spot for Lions series | Jack Snape
No, Harry Potter – the Australian rugby union winger – hasn’t read the books. And the 27-year-old is unlikely to get to them anytime soon, given his focus on securing a precious place in the Wallabies’ team for the coming tour of the British and Irish Lions.“It’s a massive, once-in-every-12-years event,” he says in the days before the first Wallabies squad of the year is named on Thursday. “It’s going to be pretty monumental.”The Western Force player has perhaps the best name in Australian sport
State of Origin 2025 Game 2: Qld Maroons beat NSW Blues 26-24 – as it happened
All eyes now turn to Sydney and the Game 3 decider on Wednesday 9th of July. I will be back there to see who lifts the State of Origin shield. Until then, I’ll leave you with Jack Snape’s match report from tonight’s chaotic classic. Catch you soon.A quick look at social media and it appears NSW fans have some polite concerns with the refereeing of Ashley Klein
Queensland stay alive after holding off stirring NSW comeback in State of Origin classic
They had been all but written off, rudderless and adrift with a rattled coach at the helm, but a spirited Queensland kept the State of Origin shield alive after a wet, wild and often bizarre Game 2 victory over New South Wales in Perth.The memorable 26-24 triumph wasn’t certain until the final moments after a titanic Blues comeback – highlighted by a Brian To’o hat-trick – brought them back to within two points with eight minutes to go.Yet the Maroons’ heroic defence in the dying stages was capped off by new Maroons captain Cameron Munster and recalled backrower Kurt Capewell, having faced repeat sets, who forced an error from Blues prop Payne Haas with another gritty tackle.The Blues’ final set ended in an error from fullback Dylan Edwards, securing one of the great Origin victories and triggering a mix of relief and celebration for the weary Queenslanders.The Maroons had scored four tries to five for the Blues
Eric Cantona and Ella Toone help meld football and art for Manchester festival
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‘A giant parenting group’: how online comedians are making a living by laughing about the chaos of kids
Speaking out on Gaza: Australian creatives and arts organisations struggle to reconcile competing pressures
Adam Hills: ‘I knew I should have gone to the King’s birthday but I really wanted to go to rugby training’
Andrew Lloyd Webber is ‘hot again’ –with help from new kids on musicals block