Governor Gordon announced today that he directed Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill to join a 22-state coalition led by Kentucky, Arkansas, and Indiana in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the rights of states to regulate the appropriateness of providing life-altering gender-transition procedures to minors. The brief, filed in support of Tennessee in U.S. v. Skrmetti, urges the Court to uphold the fundamental role of the states in the regulation of medicine, health care and child welfare.
In the case, the State of Tennessee is defending a law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. In March, Governor Gordon signed Senate File 99, Children gender change prohibition. which bans physicians from performing procedures for children related to gender transitioning and gender reassignment.
“This case is about protecting the health and welfare of our citizens, especially our children,” Governor Gordon said. “When I signed Chloe’s Law last year recognizing the need for our state to protect the most vulnerable, I did so knowing Wyoming would always defend our state’s inherent rights. Attorney General Hill is to be commended for once again protecting Wyoming’s interests.”
In the brief, Wyoming and 21 other states argue that they have broad power to protect health and safety, especially when it comes to medical uncertainty and children. The brief also argues that Tennessee’s law falls within the States’ traditional authority to regulate medicine.
“In our federalist system, the States determine how to ensure that medical procedures performed within their borders are safe and beneficial, especially when there is medical uncertainty and especially when it comes to our children,” the brief states.
Wyoming was joined in the amicus brief by Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Indiana,
A copy of the brief may be found here
