Quest Center for Integrative Health Denounces Ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti
Quest Center for Integrative Health condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth in United States v. Skrmetti. This ruling represents a devastating failure to uphold the basic constitutional rights of transgender young people, allowing a blatantly discriminatory law—rooted in political ideology rather than science or medical best practice—to remain in effect. We echo Justice Sotomayor’s powerful dissent: “The majority subjects a law that plainly discriminates on the basis of sex to mere rational-basis review. By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the Court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.”
While this ruling does not directly change the law in states like Oregon, where gender-affirming care remains legal and protected, its implications will reverberate for years and across the country. This decision and the increasing legislative attacks on transgender rights nationwide pose a serious threat to the availability and quality of behavioral health services for all transgender people. We know these anti-transgender laws directly cause an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%. Denying medically necessary, evidence-based care exacerbates mental health distress, increasing the need for services while simultaneously creating significant barriers to accessing the very care that could alleviate those needs. This leads to worse health outcomes and deepens existing disparities. Research overwhelmingly shows that transgender adolescents who access gender-affirming care experience lower rates of psychological distress, gender dysphoria, depression, and suicidality.
Quest Center for Integrative Health stands in unwavering solidarity with transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNBI+) individuals. As an organization dedicated to holistic and affirming care for adults, we recognize the critical importance of gender-affirming care, which is endorsed as essential treatment by every major medical, pediatric, and psychological association in the U.S. and backed by decades of research. We will continue to fight fiercely to protect transgender people, recognizing that gender-affirming care is often life-saving care. Quest Center remains committed to providing comprehensive, affirming, and evidence-based behavioral health services to our adult transgender community and their families. We believe that all people, including transgender individuals, deserve to live with dignity and to access the healthcare theyneed, free from political interference. Now, more than ever, we will not back down in our commitment to the dignity and equality of every transgender person and their right to access lifesaving, affirming care.
The Skrmetti decision is much more than just a legal ruling. It is a deeply emotional and personal matter for our community. The weight of this decision can stir up a range of feelings. Please know that these feelings are valid and deserve care and attention. As a community, Quest Center stands with you, offering support, solidarity, and a safe space to process, heal, and grow.
While we can’t control what extremist politicians do elsewhere in this country, Oregonians can come together to protect gender-affirming rights in our state for generations to come. The Equal Rights for All campaign is a ballot initiative for the November 2026 election. It asks voters to update Oregon’s constitution to make clear that everyone has equal rights to make private and personal decisions regardless of one’s sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or if they are pregnant or seeking reproductive health care like IVF.
Join Quest Center this Thursday for our Pride BBQ from 5-7PM to learn more and sign the petition to get this initiative on the November 2026 ballot. Find our more about Equal Rights for All HERE.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call:
Multnomah County Crisis Line: 503-988-4888
Washington County Crisis Line: 503-291-9111
Clackamas County Crisis Line (Riverstone): 503-655-8585