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Takeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on transgender health care ban: Conservatives skeptical

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Takeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on transgender health care ban: Conservatives skeptical
News

News

Takeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on transgender health care ban: Conservatives skeptical

2024-12-05 07:10 Last Updated At:07:21

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court heard the most high-profile case of its term on Wednesday, weighing Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender minors.

Similar laws have been passed by other conservative-leaning states. Challengers say they deprive kids of treatment they need, while the states defend them as protecting minors from life-changing decisions.

The conservative-majority court appeared ready to uphold Tennessee's law. It comes against the backdrop of escalating pushback to transgender rights, notably from President-elect Donald Trump.

Here are some takeaways from the arguments:

In the arguments on Wednesday, five of the court's six conservatives seemed skeptical of the argument that the ban on gender-affirming care for minors is discriminatory.

Two key conservatives, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, repeatedly challenged the arguments from lawyers challenging the ban.

Roberts questioned whether judges should be weighing in on a question of regulating medical procedures, an area usually left to state lawmakers. Barrett sounded skeptical of the administration’s argument that the law discriminates because of sex.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch was notably silent, asking no questions.

The court’s other three conservatives seemed to favor Tennessee. The three liberals largely backed the challengers, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor highlighting the risks of suicide among kids with gender dysphoria.

The litigation marked only the second time the high court has heard a case that represented a fundamental test of transgender rights.

In a case involving LGBTQ+ rights four years ago, two conservative justices, Roberts and Gorsuch, joined with its liberals to expand protections for transgender workers. Barrett wasn’t on the bench at the time and had no record on transgender rights.

Gorsuch wrote the opinion, which left open claims of discrimination in other situations.

The court isn’t expected to rule for several months. The decision could have direct effects in the 26 states that have passed versions of the bans, and might have ripple effects on other measures that restrict sports participation and bathroom use by transgender people.

Supporters of the health care laws argue the gender-affirming treatments are risky, and the laws protect kids from making decisions before they’re ready.

Challengers say many medical interventions come with some degree of risk, and families should be able to weigh those against the benefits. The arguments in favor of Tennessee’s ban could also be used to back federal restrictions, said Chase Strangio, the ACLU attorney who represented three families challenging the law.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said that his state’s arguments would still let each state set its own policy.

Ben Appel, of New York, right, who describes himself as a gay man who is concerned that gender nonconformity is being medicalized, rallies with others who support a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, outside the Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ben Appel, of New York, right, who describes himself as a gay man who is concerned that gender nonconformity is being medicalized, rallies with others who support a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, outside the Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A young person who preferred not to give her name, cheers as supporters of transgender rights rally by the Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington, while arguments are underway in a case regarding a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A young person who preferred not to give her name, cheers as supporters of transgender rights rally by the Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington, while arguments are underway in a case regarding a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

MILAN, Italy (AP) — Atalanta went to the top of Serie A when Ademola Lookman scored with three minutes remaining to beat AC Milan 2-1 on Friday.

Atalanta’s ninth win in a row was a fitting gift to coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was awarded the coach of the month award earlier in the day for guiding his team to a perfect record in November.

Charles De Ketelaere put the home side ahead with a towering header after 11 minutes only for Milan to level 11 minutes later.

Theo Hernández released Rafael Leão on the right wing and his inviting cross was converted by Álvaro Morata.

Milan's Christian Pulisic left in the 38th minute because of a calf injury.

Milan looked set to end Atalanta’s impressive run but Lookman nipped in at the back post to nod home a corner in the dying moments.

Atalanta has 34 points, two more than Napoli, which has a game in hand against Lazio on Sunday. Milan was in seventh place.

Serie A champion Inter defeated Parma 3-1 and extended the Milan club’s unbeaten run to 13 games.

Federico Dimarco put the home side ahead five minutes before halftime when he worked a neat one-two with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and fired a low shot past Zion Suzuki.

Nicolò Barella made it two eight minutes into the second half when he finished a fast counterattack with aplomb.

Marcos Thuram's 10th goal of the season made it 3-0 in the 66th.

A Matteo Darmian own goal gave some late consolation for Parma.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

AC Milan's Alvaro Morata gestures during the Italian Series A soccer match between Atalanta and AC Millan at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Friday, Dec. 6 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

AC Milan's Alvaro Morata gestures during the Italian Series A soccer match between Atalanta and AC Millan at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Friday, Dec. 6 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates during the Italian Series A soccer match between Atalanta and AC Millan at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Friday, Dec. 6 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates during the Italian Series A soccer match between Atalanta and AC Millan at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Friday, Dec. 6 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella scores during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella scores during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram, left, hugs Inter Milan's head coach Simone Inzaghi after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram, left, hugs Inter Milan's head coach Simone Inzaghi after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram, right, celebrates with Inter Milan's Barella after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram, right, celebrates with Inter Milan's Barella after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco scores during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco scores during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Parma at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec.6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

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