Union Square rally denounces Supreme Court ruling in US v. Skrmetti

LGBTQ advocates and community members rallied at Union Square on the evening of June 18, just hours after the Supreme Court ruled that a Tennessee state ban on gender-affirming care for youth does not violate the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union, who made history as the first transgender attorney to argue before the nation’s highest court, was among the attendees alongside LGBTQ non-profit leaders and others who delivered remarks at the rally. Elected officials also joined the rally to show support. The Supreme Court decision comes during the middle of Pride Month and less than two weeks before the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. See some photos from the rally: [caption id="attachment_57627" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Advocates huddle around the banner at Union Square Park.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57615" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Majé Louverture of the Ali Forney Center.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57616" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Raquel Willis of the Gender Liberation Movement.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57617" align="aligncenter" width="700"] New Pride Agenda executive director Kei Williams.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57618" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Angelica Christina of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57619" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Qween Amor.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57620" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Loreli Crean wears the colors of the Trans Flag.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57614" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, co-chair of the City Council's LGBTQIA+ Caucus.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57621" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Rabbi Marisa Elana James of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57613" align="aligncenter" width="700"] State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal addresses the crowd.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57622" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Yanery Cruz of New York Transgender Advocacy Group.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57623" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Mia, left, appeared with Strangio in the documentary "Heightened Scrutiny."Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_57624" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Naim sings "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."Donna Aceto[/caption]