October Term 2024 · Docket 23-477
Does Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors violate the Equal Protection Clause?
Tennessee argues its law targets risky medical procedures. The federal government argues the law discriminates based on sex.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Prelogar argued SB1 singles out one specific medical use.
Mr. Rice argued the law targets medical purpose, not patient sex.
Chief Justice Roberts questioned the relevance of adoption precedents.
Justice Thomas questioned physiological differences in hormone treatment.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 47-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 47-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 49-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 49-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 53-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Tennessee enacted SB1 to restrict certain medical treatments for minors. The federal government challenges the law as unconstitutional sex discrimination.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 4, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-47
What each side wants
The federal government wants the Court to strike down SB1 as unconstitutional.
Tennessee wants the Court to uphold SB1 as a valid health regulation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
What each side says
The federal government argues SB1 discriminates against transgender minors based on sex.
Tennessee argues SB1 targets specific medical purposes rather than patient sex.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the case involves medical nuances unlike adoption cases.
Justice Thomas asked if physiological differences exist between boys and girls taking testosterone.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 47-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 47-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 49-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 49-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 53-9
Why it matters
The outcome determines whether states can ban specific medical treatments for minors. It defines the scope of state power over minor healthcare decisions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 47-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 47-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 49-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 49-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 53-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 117, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 117, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 153, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 153, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.