Lake County Gazette

Mel Gurel, Vice Chairman of Vernon Township Republicans, said that the Supreme Court's ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti supports Tennessee's ban on certain gender procedures for minors, allowing the state to protect children. Gurel made her statement to Lake County Gazette.

"With the Supreme Court's affirmation of Tennessee's law, vulnerable minors are no longer subject to the medical experiments of the gender-affirming movement," said Gurel. "This ruling prioritizes cautious, evidence-based care over ideology-driven practices. It gives families room to explore identity without subjecting children to irreversible procedures. Tennessee has drawn a bold line to protect its youth from harm disguised as progress."

According to Politico, in its U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling on June 18, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors in a 6-3 decision, rejecting arguments that it violated the Equal Protection Clause. Chief Justice Roberts said the law does not discriminate based on transgender status or sex. The 2023 law prohibits hormone therapy and puberty blockers for gender dysphoria in minors but permits them for other conditions. About 20 states have enacted similar bans.

The American College of Pediatricians reported that there is no long-term evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries for transgender youth, classifying these interventions as experimental. Without reliable data, parents cannot provide informed consent, and minors cannot assent. Evidence suggests puberty blockers may worsen gender dysphoria, self-harm, and emotional instability, with side effects like osteoporosis, mood disorders, and cognitive impairment. High doses of hormones can also carry risks such as psychiatric issues, sterility, and cardiovascular problems.

Gurel has been a resident of Buffalo Grove for eight years. Her involvement in local politics began shortly after March 2020 when Covid lockdowns started and executive orders for masking and remote learning seemed indefinite. After organizing a rally at Stevenson High School, she found a political home at Vernon Township Republicans Organization (VTRO). She is also a co-chair of the Awake Illinois Vernon/Ela Townships chapter and serves as an appointed Precinct Committeewoman for Vernon 288. However, her most challenging accomplishment during Covid was homeschooling her son for third grade; helping to turn Illinois red will be a close second.