Democrats' frustration over Supreme Court ruling on child gender procedures shows 2024 lessons ignored

Hold onto your hats, folks—Democrats are in a tailspin over a Supreme Court decision that’s got common sense cheering from the sidelines.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling on Wednesday in United States v. Skrmetti, upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-altering surgeries and puberty blockers for minors under Senate Bill 1, igniting a firestorm of criticism from Democratic leaders despite widespread public support for such restrictions.

Tennessee, alongside 24 other Republican-led states, has enacted laws to shield children from these irreversible procedures, arguing that minors lack the maturity to make such life-altering decisions.

Public Opinion Clashes with Democratic Stance

Polls paint a stark picture: A Washington Post-KFF survey found 68% of Americans oppose puberty blockers for kids, and 58% are against hormonal treatments for teens.

Similarly, a Center Square Voter's Choice Poll revealed only 29% of voters think doctors should prescribe these drugs to minors even with parental consent, while 47% believe they shouldn’t be allowed under any circumstances.

The numbers don’t lie—54% of Americans, per a NORC poll for the Los Angeles Times, favor laws blocking minors from accessing these interventions, yet Democratic leaders seem blissfully unaware of the public pulse.

Democratic Criticism Misses the Mark

Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts didn’t hold back, declaring, “Hate won.” But let’s be honest—protecting children from unproven medical experiments isn’t hate; it’s caution rooted in reality.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, whose approval rating languishes at a mere 26% per a Harvard-Harris poll, chimed in with, “Republicans' cruel crusade against trans kids.” Perhaps it’s time for the Senator to check the polls—majority opinion isn’t exactly marching to his drumbeat.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey lamented that the Court has “legitimized discriminatory treatment of children.” One might ask if safeguarding kids from procedures with “remarkably weak evidence,” as Britain’s Cass Review concluded, is discrimination or just good sense.

Scientific Evidence Undermines Gender-Affirming Claims

Speaking of the Cass Review, this 388-page report, led by Dr. Hilary Cass for Britain’s National Health Service, found no solid proof that puberty blockers improve gender dysphoria or body satisfaction.

The report also highlighted compromised bone density as a risk and noted a glaring lack of high-quality research on hormone outcomes for adolescents.

Add to that a BMJ Mental Health study finding no impact on suicide risk from medical gender reassignment, and the case for caution grows even stronger.

Political Fallout and a Path Forward

Journalist Mia Hughes’ report further raised concerns about minors’ inability to grasp the long-term consequences of such interventions, pointing to issues with informed consent.

Democratic disapproval ratings are already in the dumpster—63% unfavorable per a Marquette Law School poll, and 58.3% per Economist and YouGov data—yet leaders double down on a progressive agenda most Americans reject.

As Terry Schilling of the American Principles Project wisely noted, “There should be no question now that Democrats' gender insanity is a massive political vulnerability.” Turns out, ignoring the electorate’s concerns isn’t a winning strategy—go figure.