June 18, 2025. DignityUSA deeply objects to today’s Supreme Court ruling that upholds a Tennessee law, and by extension laws in at least 20 other states, that bans scientifically supported care for transgender youth. The Catholic organization sees this ruling as dangerous, as a violation of human and parental rights, and as a failure to take decades of testimony from transgender and nonbinary individuals seriously.

“Our hearts are breaking for every individual whom this decision will harm,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA’s Executive Director. “We fear for their safety and their physical and mental health. We feel for the families that will now need to make very difficult decisions about how to care for their children. Do they need to move to a state that supports the current science? Can they manage the costs and challenges of getting care in another locale? Do they risk waiting until their child is considered an adult? The Supreme Court has placed an enormous burden on individuals and families in nearly half of our states, while taking away their choice and agency.”

Duddy-Burke added, “Catholicism teaches that we should affirm and uplift the dignity of human life. At DignityUSA, we support transgender youths’ right to access lifesaving and life-affirming medical care, knowing that the scientific and medical consensus is that gender care improves outcomes for them. As Catholics, we must do all we can to care for one another. DignityUSA will continue to work for equal access to health care, education, housing, employment and other human necessities for transgender and nonbinary people. We will also work with organizations that assist people in obtaining the care needed for a healthy, happy life, and do all we can as individuals to support people in accessing appropriate health care.”

DignityUSA is the world’s oldest organization of Catholics working for justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in our church and the larger society. Health care equity for our community has been among our priorities since our founding in 1969.