Skrmetti’s Impact on Gender-Affirming Care in MN & ND

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti on June 18, 2025 is a devastating blow to transgender and nonbinary youth. The Court has given states the greenlight to ban medically necessary, gender-affirming care for trans youth—putting their health and well-being at serious risk.

In Minnesota, where access to trans health care is protected under state law, trans and nonbinary youth can still access the care they need. But in North Dakota, where we’re challenging 2023 law barring gender-affirming care for minors, our fight continues.

Watch our SCOTUS Chat to learn more, or scroll to read on for what you need to know.

1. Trans Youth in Minnesota Can Still Access Care

Thanks to decades of tireless work by advocates and lawmakers, Minnesota has strong state-level protections ensuring that transgender people can access the care they need. As a result, trans and nonbinary youth in Minnesota can still receive gender-affirming healthcare, even in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

But our work is far from over. While Minnesota remains a safe haven, we must stay vigilant. Discrimination against transgender people remains a threat, and if you experience a healthcare provider denying you or a family member care, we urge you to contact a lawyer and your elected officials immediately.

2. Our Fight Continues in North Dakota

Currently, North Dakota’s 2023 law bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth, unless they were already receiving it prior to April 21, 2023, when the law went into effect. This law criminalizes doctors and forces transgender youth and their families to travel long distances just to access the same care their cisgender peers receive without barriers.

Gender Justice, alongside the Lawyering Project, serves as legal counsel in T.D. v. Wrigley, a case challenging North Dakota’s 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. This case will continue forward, as it is challenging the ban on the grounds it violates the right to personal autonomy granted under the North Dakota state constitution. In other words, we still have an opportunity to overturn North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care, regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

3. State-Level Protections Matter More Than Ever

If the past decade has taught us anything, it’s that relying on the federal government to protect our rights isn’t enough. During the first Trump administration, we saw how quickly civil rights could be stripped away, and we know that the fight for justice can’t be left to Washington alone. That’s why we’ve intentionally focused our efforts on building and defending state-level protections.

In Minnesota, we’ve fought hard and won strong protections for transgender people. But in the current political climate, we can’t afford to take these rights for granted. That’s why we’re fighting for the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment will enshrine gender equality in our state constitution, meaning lawmakers can’t roll back the rights we’ve fought so hard for.

In North Dakota, we’re fighting in the courts, but our work doesn’t end there. This year, lawmakers doubled down on anti-LGBTQ+ attacks that people don’t support. That’s why we helped launch The People’s Session, a grassroots gathering where everyday North Dakotans came together to share their priorities, shape a people-centered agenda, and send a clear message: we deserve a Legislature that works for us. And we’re just getting started.

4. This Ruling is a Threat to Everyone’s Rights

While this ruling targets trans youth, it sets a dangerous precedent for all of us. By allowing states to ban gender-affirming care, it could embolden lawmakers to further restrict access to other essential healthcare, like birth control, IVF, and even basic reproductive care.

5. Your Voice Matters. Get Involved.

Policy and law are crucial, but changing the conversation and shifting the narrative are just as important. That’s why we’re hosting Trans Equity Trainings to help you learn how to be an advocate, challenge misconceptions, and stand up for trans rights in your community. Sign up for our emails to be the first to know about upcoming trainings.

You can also chip in to support the movement. Every donation helps us fight for lasting change—ensuring that trans youth are seen, heard, and protected.