The Gender Justice Brief

This SCOTUS Chat is hosted by Erin Maye Quade, Special Projects Advisor at Gender Justice, with Brittany Stewart, Senior Staff Attorney at Gender Justice, and Dr. Kate Gepford, Chief Education Officer at Children's Minnesota.

This SCOTUS Chat addresses the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in US v Skrmetti that allows states to ban medically necessary gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary youth.

The discussion covers the background of the case, its implications for states like Minnesota and North Dakota, and the personal and professional impacts on trans youth, their families, and healthcare providers. This chat explains and explores the ongoing challenges, legal strategies, and the broader significance of ensuring access to gender-affirming care amid a shifting political landscape.

Timestamps:00:00 Supreme Court Ruling: A Devastating Blow to Trans Youth00:22 Meet the Panelists: Experts in Gender Affirming Care01:37 Understanding the US v Skrmetti Case04:44 Legal Scrutiny and the Supreme Court's Decision06:45 What is Gender Affirming Care?10:06 Implications of the Supreme Court's Ruling16:17 The Role of Science and Medicine in Legal Decisions23:54 Impact on North Dakota and Minnesota27:34 The Broader Landscape of Transgender Rights32:15 Historical Context of Trans Rights in North Dakota35:12 Migration Trends and Healthcare Access37:17 Challenges of Relocating for Healthcare39:51 National vs. State Healthcare Policies48:23 Insurance and Prior Authorization Issues52:20 Future Legislative Challenges and Final Thoughts

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guests: 

Sara Jane Baldwin, Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney

Paula Schaefer, Advocate for Minnesota Juvenile Justice Reform

Meagan McIntyre, Gender Justice 2024 legal intern

In this conversation on The Gender Justice Brief, we shine a light on an issue that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the unequal protection of girls in Minnesota’s juvenile justice system.

This episode was inspired by a keynote address Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney Sara Jane Baldwin gave at the annual conference of Minnesota’s Advisory Task Force for Justice-Involved Women and Girls, “Beyond the Bars: Partnering with Girls for Meaningful Justice Reform.”

Our guests walk us through the history of Minnesota’s juvenile justice system, explore the systemic inequities girls face today, and discuss how the proposed Equal Rights Amendment could address some of these injustices.

Note: This is the final episode of the season for the podcast. We are taking a break as we focus on the work ahead in 2025. Subscribers will receive notifications of any new episodes recorded in the future.

Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Guests:

On December 4, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case out of Tennessee called U.S. v. Skrmetti that could determine the future of gender-affirming care in the United States. 

In the monumental case, families, doctors, and the United States government are asking the Supreme Court to strike down Tennessee’s ban on hormone therapy for transgender youth.

Gender Justice legal and policy experts held a briefing to walk listeners through the key legal arguments made on December 4th, explaining how this case advanced to the nation's highest court, and discussing the potential outcomes that could impact transgender rights across the country. Today’s episode is a recording of that briefing.

Links and resources mentioned in the briefing: 

U.S. v. Skrmetti 

T.D. v. Wrigley: Protecting Access to Health Care for Transgender and Nonbinary Youth 

Wikipedia entry for Frances Thompson, a formerly enslaved Black trans woman whose story became part of the impetus for the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guest: Ash Tifa, Community Organizer and Advocate

In the wake of the 2024 election results, many people in the trans community and wondering if now is the time to update names and gender markers on key documents such as passports and driver’s licenses. 

As a new, hostile presidential administration comes in January, we spoke with Ash Tifa, a legal professional with a wealth of experience designing and leading name and gender marker change clinics in the Twin Cities.

[Transcript forthcoming]

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

OutFront Minnesota

Name change and gender marker clinic with Ash Tifa, in collaboration with Transforming Families (December 7, 2024 — no cost)

Twin Cities Mutual Aid: Supporting and amplifying the material needs of trans folks in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

Volunteer Lawyers Network’s Legal Clinic Appointment form

Trans Lifeline has a microgrant program to help with fees associated with getting documents updated (as of the air date of this episode, the program is temporarily paused)

If you have a specific question for Ash Tifa? Please contact us at [email protected] and we will make sure she gets it.

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

With the Trump administration’s harmful policies targeting our fundamental freedoms, our state-based work at Gender Justice has never been more urgent. 

Post-election, our legal and policy experts discuss the immediate threats we face, what the results mean for the issues Gender Justice covers, and how we’re preparing to defend our rights in this hostile environment.

Speakers:

Jess Braverman, Legal Director

Erin Maye Quade, Special Projects Advisor

Monica Meyer, Political Director

Megan Peterson, Executive Director

Christina Sambor, North Dakota State Director

Resources and links mentioned in the briefing:

10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won 

Take action with Gender Justice: Whether you’d like to join our rapid response text alert team, participate in events and trainings, collect stories in your community about reproductive freedom, trans & LGBQ justice, or talk to your legislators, we’ve got a place for you

Name change and gender marker resources:

If/When/How legal helpline: get answers to your legal questions about abortion, pregnancy loss, and birth

Attend a Trans Equity Training with Gender Justice 

Learn more about our case supporting trans athlete JayCee Cooper, whose case goes before the Minnesota Supreme Court this year
Support Gender Justice with a gift for Give to the Max Day — every donation made by November 21 will be matched, one dollar for every $3 dollars donated, up to $10,000 thanks to supporter Terry Saario.

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guests: Jay Belsito, Gender Justice Organizer, and B. Wilson, BIPOC Educators’ Collective co-founder

We all have a role to play in defending trans lives, and today’s conversation aims to engage allies and those who want to be stronger advocates. We’ll explore ways to push back against harmful rhetoric, foster understanding, and take action to support the trans community.

At our monthly Trans Equity Trainings convened by Gender Justice organizer Jay Belsito, participants learn how best to talk about the issues that impact transgender people, find ways to take action to combat the rising tide of violence against trans people, and meet others who are passionate about the fight for trans equity and empowerment.

Our guests for this episode are Gender Justice organizer Jay Belsito, who convenes the trans equity training series, and community educator B. Wilson, co-founder of the BIPOC Educators’ Collective 

Resources mentioned in the show:

Gender Justice's Trans Equity Training series

Exposing Fake Clinics: Minnesota’s “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” — hear Jay Belsito talk about their organizing work

Race, Class, Gender Narrative Messaging Guide (ASO Communications)

Learn more about Sickle Cell Disease

Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guest: Nicki Hangsleben, QUEERSPACE Collective 

“Your program is saving my kid’s life.” 

Through mentorship, training and advocacy, Minnesota’s QUEERSPACE Collective creates a space where LGBTQ+ youth can show up as their authentic selves.

We recorded this episode a little over a week before the 2024 election, with major stakes for LGBTQ+ rights in the balance. We thought it was a good time to focus on the power of community and how we protect one another and stand together, which we’ll need to do regardless of election outcomes — our conversation with QUEERSPACE Collective executive director Nicki Hangsleben will give you a jolt of hope.

Links to resources mentioned in the show:

Queerspace — mentorship | merch | social 

Minnesota School Outreach Coalition (MNSOC) 

RECLAIM! Mental health support for queer and trans youth
Trevor Project Suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guests: Erin Maye Quade, Gender Justice Special Projects Advisor, and Miraya Gran, Minnesota Building Families Coalition infertility advocate

At Gender Justice, we advocate for gender equity under the law. We also subscribe to the philosophy of reproductive justice, a concept developed by Black women advocates in the 1990s defined as “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, to have children, to not have children, and to parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.” Access to infertility treatment and services is a key component of this right. 

Though specifics on state laws vary widely, 22 states and the District of Columbia require insurance to cover some kind of fertility treatment — but Minnesota isn’t one of them.

In this episode we talk with Miraya Gran, a leader of the Minnesota Building Families Coalition, and Gender Justice Special Projects Advisor Erin Maye Quade, who in her role as a Minnesota legislator is lead Senate author of the Minnesota Building Families Act, which would align Minnesota law with the position of the medical community as well as the reproductive rights, health, and justice communities.

Links to resources mentioned in the show:

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guests: Christina Sambor, Gender Justice North Dakota State Director and Marc Hearron, Center for Reproductive Rights Senior Counsel

Victory in North Dakota! 

On September 12, 2024, a North Dakota state court ruled that the state’s total abortion ban is unconstitutional. 

“All North Dakota citizens, including women, have the right to make fundamental, appropriate, and informed medical decisions in consultation with a physician and to receive their chosen medical care among comparable alternatives. Such a choice is a fundamental one, central to personal autonomy and self-determination. Those choices belong to the individual, not the government. That is the essence of what liberty and happiness require.” — South Central Judicial District Court Judge Bruce Romanick, in his order 

We talk with two of the attorneys who have been involved with the case filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and Gender Justice.

Links to resources mentioned in the show:

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guests: Christy Hall, Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney, and Dave Edwards, Founder of Gender Inclusive Schools

In this back-to-school episode, Christy Hall reviews state and federal laws protecting transgender and gender expansive students in a conversation with Dave Edwards, an educator and former client of Gender Justice who has just published a new book called Gender Inclusive Schools: How to Affirm and Support Gender-Expansive Students—an invaluable resource for educators, parents, and anybody who works with kids.

For an extensive discussion of the state and federal laws protecting trans students, be sure to listen to our interview with Christy Hall on the August 26, 2023, episode of The Gender Justice Brief: Back to School: Know Your Rights. 

 Links to resources mentioned in the show:

Transforming Families Minnesota, an inclusive safe-space for families with transgender and questioning youth.

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com