The Slatest for Nov. 15: What Red States Are Doing to Trans Teens

Sudden bans on trans youth health care across the U.S. have left parents scrambling. “In the past three years alone, life as a young transgender person in the U.S. has changed dramatically,” Christina Cauterucci writes. “Before 2021, gender-affirming medical care was legal in all 50 states. None had even tried to ban it. Today, 22 states have passed restrictions on that care—and while several have been blocked in court or have yet to take effect, most are active law.”

Activists are borrowing from the abortion-access playbook—travel across state lines for care— but it works only to a point. Cauterucci takes a close look at the maze of choices the parents of trans kids are facing right now.

Plus: The mother of a 16-year-old trans boy in Texas spoke to Evan Urquhart shortly after the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

And in case you missed it: Urquhart breaks down some important things to understand about how the trans youth health care debate is covered.

The war in Gaza has set the stage for a huge primary battle next year for some specific members of Congress. AIPAC, one of the biggest pro-Israel lobbying groups, is going after members of the progressive “Squad” over their criticisms of Israel and calls for a cease-fire. Alexander Sammon looks ahead at what’s shaping up to be “one of the biggest, bitterest, and most expensive political battles of the 2024 election cycle.”

The Republican senator could be the key to saving us from our atrocious campaign finance laws, Lawrence Lessig argues. Hawley introduced a bill going after political spending by corporations—and while it has no chance of becoming law, “the constitutional premise Hawley has embraced could change campaign finance law fundamentally,” Lessig writes.

Scrabble’s new list of approved words in tournaments adds a few that lexicographers say aren’t actually valid words at all—and elite players are mortified. Stefan Fatsis breaks down the controversy.

There’s a reason that even major tech companies are parroting the claims that “A.I. will kill us all.” Alex Kantrowitz takes a closer look at how A.I. doomers have risen to prominence so quickly.

Nothing brings a billionaire supervillain down to earth like having a dangerous and life-altering crush. Which is why Luke Winkie thinks everyone is missing the point of that infamous Jeff Bezos/Lauren Sánchez photo.

… much like a beloved local Walgreens. Tara McCarthy Altebrando reflects on the hole left behind in her neighborhood when the chain pharmacy her daughter loved so much closed down.

Thanks so much for reading! We’ll see you tomorrow.