Today, a ban against trans kids’ gender-affirming care goes into effect in Texas.

Texas

The Story

Today, a ban against trans kids’ gender-affirming care goes into effect.

Explain.

Yesterday, the state’s Supreme Court cleared the law to go into effect, making Texas the latest and most populous state to ban transgender therapies — like hormone blockers — for minors. Kids who are already on medication will have to be weaned off in a “medically appropriate” way. The ruling comes as at least 20 states have enacted some kind of ban on transgender care for minors. One study found that 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth’s mental health has been negatively impacted by the recent anti-LGBTQIA+ policies. More than 300,000 teenagers identify as trans — a sharp increase from just six years ago.

What happens now?

The ACLU called Texas’ law “cruel” and says it will make kids “fearful of what awaits them.” Conservative groups said that “protecting children from harmful and dangerous gender transition surgeries and puberty blockers is in the best interests of the child.” Most Americans support laws that protect trans people from discrimination in situations like jobs, public accommodations, and housing. But almost half want to make it illegal for healthcare providers to support transitions for minors.

theSkimm

Never before have so many kids openly identified as trans — though they still make up less than 2% of minors. In response, states have introduced an estimated 130 bills this year to restrict medical care for their transition.

Whose connections we’re learning more about…

Justice Clarence Thomas’. Yesterday, he filed financial disclosures showing he took three trips on the private jet of a real estate billionaire who collects Nazi memorabilia. The disclosures were filed after an extension and amid a series of journalistic reports over his ties to billionaires. Thomas’ lawyer said the filings involved “no willful ethics transgressions” and that the criticisms are “motivated by hatred for his judicial philosophy.” The news comes as pressure has mounted in recent months for the Supreme Court to set up ethics rules like other federal courts have.

Who’s crashing the party…

The NYPD. Yesterday, the NYPD announced they will use drones to search for trouble this Labor Day weekend. They plan to use drones to “go up and go check on” parties after receiving complaints about big gatherings. The NYPD announced the move during a media briefing over safety and security measures for J'Ouvert and the West Indian Parade in Brooklyn. They reportedly said drones will be responding to “non-priority and priority calls” beyond the parade route. Civil liberties advocates are worried that the plan can infringe on people’s privacy rights. One expert reportedly said it “flies in the face of the POST Act” — a law that requires the NYPD to publish its policies of surveillance tech at least 90 days ahead of its changes. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has said drones have “endless” potential.

Who decided to repaint the town, actually…

Doja Cat. Yesterday, she released new cover art for her upcoming fourth album, “Scarlet.” Turns out, the cover she had dropped earlier this week looked a lot like one for German band Chaver — who’s releasing an album the same day as Doja. Who could explain it? Maybe the artist who designed both album covers. Oo, he’s a rebel…

While Kim Kardashian says no pup is too small…

Kylie Jenner’s dumping cottagecore for cool girl.

While Taylor Swift is curing our FOMO…

Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nelly Furtado are giving us “Keep Going Up.”