In a move that has drawn national criticism and concern from civil rights advocates, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a transgender teenager cannot legally change his name, despite having the full support of both parents. The ruling, which upheld a 2023 lower court decision, cites the teen’s “lack of maturity” and references Mississippi’s broader anti-transgender policies, despite the absence of any medical transition elements in the case.
The young man, identified in court documents only as S.M.-B., was 16 years old when the name change petition was filed in July 2023. He is now either 18 or nearing that age. However, Mississippi law defines the age of majority as 21, meaning he will not be eligible to file for a legal name change as an adult until 2028.
This decision has ignited alarm among LGBTQ+ advocates and legal experts who see it as a disturbing example of the state’s growing hostility toward transgender youth and a dangerous precedent for overriding parental support in deeply personal family matters.
A Controversial Ruling, Despite Parental Consent
Under Mississippi law, minors are allowed to legally change their names with the permission of both parents, a condition that was fully met in this case. Nevertheless, Hinds County Chancery Judge Tametrice Hodges rejected the request in November 2023, citing concerns over the teen’s maturity and misgendering him throughout the filing. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court voted 8–1 to uphold her decision.
“The petitioner’s primary appellate argument is that the chancellor had no discretion to deny the name-change petition because it was uncontested and both parents agreed,” the majority opinion reads. “But Mississippi law says otherwise.”
The court further stated that the decision aligned with Mississippi’s “express public policy” against gender-affirming care for minors, citing the REAP Act, a 2023 law banning gender-affirming medical care for anyone under 18. However, the teen’s case had nothing to do with medical transition. It focused solely on his social transition, which includes his name, pronouns, clothing, and appearance.
Justice King’s Dissent: “No Medical Procedures Are at Issue”
The sole dissenting vote came from Justice Leslie King, who sharply criticized the ruling. In his written dissent, he noted that the court had inserted the REAP Act into a case where no medical procedures were even discussed and that the original hearing took place off the record with no evidence or testimony.
“No medical procedures are at issue in this case,” Justice King wrote. “Yet the court has inserted a broader cultural agenda into a straightforward family decision.”
King emphasized that the court’s majority opinion misrepresented the purpose of a legal name change and discounted the evidence-based understanding of gender identity among medical professionals.
Medical Community and Legal Advocates Speak Out
The ruling stands in stark contrast to the positions held by every major medical association in the U.S., including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Medical Association, all of which support social and medical transition for youth as clinically appropriate and essential for mental health.
Studies repeatedly show that trans youth experience significant reductions in anxiety and depression when supported in their identity through social transition, such as using the correct name and pronouns.
McKenna Raney, staff attorney at the ACLU of Mississippi’s LGBTQ Justice Project, condemned the decision, calling it “a profound injustice” and “a disheartening setback.”
“Denial of an adult or minor name change based on transgender identity has been universally rejected in any U.S. jurisdiction in which it has been considered, except Mississippi,” Raney said. “This is not the kind of governmental interference we have in Mississippi over family choices.”
What This Means for Trans Families
The Mississippi ruling highlights the growing tension between ‘parental rights’ legislation and actual parental decisions, especially when those decisions support a transgender child. Critics point to the hypocrisy of political leaders who champion parental control in schools and medicine but override it when parents choose to affirm their child’s gender identity.
For families of transgender youth in Mississippi, this decision is a painful reminder that support alone may not be enough when legal systems are weaponized against trans lives. It also puts pressure on LGBTQ+ advocates and attorneys to prepare for further legal battles challenging laws like the REAP Act and their ripple effects.
For now, S.M.-B. will remain unable to carry a legal name that reflects who he is, not because of any dispute within his family, but because a court found him too “immature” to know himself.
The Bottom Line
As Mississippi continues to implement policies restricting transgender rights, advocates are urging families and allies to remain vigilant and continue supporting their children — socially, emotionally, and legally. Organizations like the ACLU of Mississippi, Lambda Legal, and the Transgender Law Center are expected to monitor the broader implications of this ruling and offer legal guidance to affected families.
Transgender youth in Mississippi deserve dignity, identity, and autonomy. This ruling may delay one young man’s right to be seen for who he is, but it has also galvanized a growing chorus of support demanding justice and equality.
For support and resources, visit Transgender Law Center, GLAAD, or The Trevor Project.
If you or someone you know needs help, The Trevor Project offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386.
