WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 4, 2024—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, offered comments on today’s U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments for the case, United States v. Skrmetti, where he urges the court to uphold a Tennessee law that would prohibit “gender transition” procedures for minors.
“Today’s oral arguments highlighted exactly why Tennessee’s law is so needed. As Tennessee’s Solicitor General pointed out, these novel and experimental treatments often leave children infertile and with permanently damaged bodies. Given those harmful effects, it is not only entirely appropriate, but constitutionally permissible, for the state to intervene to protect these vulnerable minors. They need care and compassion, not a radical remaking of their bodies. While one can never draw a direct line from the questioning of the justices to the ultimate result, it was evident to everyone in the courtroom that a majority of the Court was skeptical of the U.S. government’s arguments. Tennessee’s law is good and just––and the Supreme Court should reject this challenge from the ACLU and the Biden Administration.”
The ERLC filed a brief in conjunction with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board on Oct. 15 to defend a Tennessee law that would protect minors from harmful “gender transition” surgeries. The ERLC originated the brief, providing the justices a compelling legal argument within the framework of biblical convictions regarding gender and sexuality.
The Tennessean published an op-ed authored by Leatherwood, Dec. 4 about the ERLC’s brief to stop “gender transition” surgeries for children.
