Federal Judge Strikes Down Arkansas’ Ban on Gender-Affirming Treatment for Trans Youth

Devan Cole for CNN reports that a federal judge struck down Arkansas’ ban on gender-affirming treatment for transgender youth, saying that the ban violated the U.S. Constitution.The case marked the first time a federal judge has had the chance to receive extensive evidence and briefing in a challenge to a ban on gender-affirming care. The decision could affect similar bans in more than a dozen states. Meanwhile, Jack Jenkins covers a recent vote taken by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to begin a process that could ban gender-affirming care in Catholic health care facilities.

Life After Roe: Hispanics Fully Part of the Pro-Choice Majority

New York Magazine’s Ed Kilgore observes that if Hispanic Americans are trending to the right, it is not because of their position on abortion as this demographic represents a part of the country’s solid pro-choice majority. PRRIresearch found that 54% of U.S. Hispanic Catholics opposed legalized abortion in 2013, but that the percentage dropped to 37% in 2022. Kilgore also notes that while 54% of Hispanic Protestants are opposed to legal abortion, they are not the fastest growing share of the Hispanic population — religious “nones” are the fastest growing religious category.

Juneteenth, the Newest Federal Holiday, Is Gaining Awareness

Alana Wise of NPR reports on the rising popularity of Juneteenth and its effect on Americans across different communities. In 2021, before the holiday was federally recognized, only 37% of Americans knew what it was; in 2022 the number jumped to 60%. Howard University professor Greg Carr explained the significance of the holiday, saying, “Juneteenth celebrations are a chance for this country, for the United States to rethink not only its origins, but the relationship of everybody who lives in this country to each other.” Last year, PRRI found that one in three Americans said they have volunteered or given money to groups supporting racial equality (34%).

What Does the SBC Decision Mean for Religion in America?

Cody Mello-Klein for Northeastern Global News writes that the Southern Baptist Convention’s recent decision to expel churches with women pastors is a bellwether moment for American evangelism. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz, an assistant professor of religion and anthropology at Northeastern University, sees the SBC’s deliberation on this issue as indicative of a swing toward far-right thinking in American Christianity and “growing religious fundamentalism […] that focuses on inflexible gender roles, purity culture, and patriarchal hierarchy.” At least 6 in 10 Christian nationalism adherents (66%) agree that “society as a whole has become too soft and feminine,” according to PRRI.

What’s Buzzing?

Read PRRI’s new report “The Politics of Gender, Pronouns, and Public Education” here. Follow PRRI on IG for more.