Supreme Court rulings impact LGBTQ+ rights in education and healthcare

In the closing days of its term, the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority issued two rulings impacting the LGBTQ+ community. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, new requirements were placed on educators and public schools, potentially affecting their ability to provide an inclusive education that reflects student diversity. Earlier, in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a ban on access to gender-affirming care was upheld.

NEA President Becky Pringle expressed concern over these decisions: “We all deserve the right to live, learn, and thrive no matter our sexual orientation or gender identity—no exceptions." She criticized the Court for denying basic rights to LGBTQ+ individuals and warned of a chilling effect on students and public education.

Pringle described the Mahmoud v. Taylor decision as an attack on inclusivity and democracy: “Public education is founded on the core principle of engaging students on a broad range of ideas.” She emphasized support for students' freedom to express their identities and for teaching diverse curricula.

Addressing U.S. v. Skrmetti, Pringle highlighted political attacks on transgender healthcare: "All families and their medical providers deserve the right to make medical decisions free from political interference." She affirmed that educators have a responsibility to create safe environments recognizing LGBTQ+ identities despite efforts by extremists.

The National Education Association represents over 3 million educators and public employees across various educational levels.