OKLAHOMA CITY (June 30, 2025) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is applauding two orders the U.S. Supreme Court issued today in his favor, including one relating to so-called “non-binary” birth certificates. The other involves a dispute that began when the Biden Administration denied millions in federal funding to Oklahoma because the State refused to provide abortion referrals.
"I am very pleased with these recent Supreme Court rulings, which represent significant victories for the constitutional principle of States' Rights," said Drummond. "The Court has provided crucial clarity on issues that directly affect Oklahoma's ability to govern according to our values. I will continue fighting to uphold the U.S. Constitution and defend our God-given rights."
In United States v. Skrmetti, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's law restricting "gender transition” surgeries and related chemical treatments for minors, ruling that such state legislation does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Drummond successfully defended Oklahoma’s own law prohibiting this same conduct and joined an amicus brief to bolster Tennessee’s arguments before the high court.
This decision will inform the Tenth Circuit's reconsideration of Oklahoma's birth certificate case, Fowler v. Stitt. In that case, Drummond is defending Oklahoma's policy of recording biological sex on birth certificates. Drummond opposes any action that would force Oklahoma to falsify official records by changing documented biological facts to match an individual's gender identity.
The Court's decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic ruled that Medicaid beneficiaries cannot sue in federal court to enforce their right to choose healthcare providers when states exclude certain providers from Medicaid programs. This ruling, which Oklahoma contributed to with an amicus brief, will impact the reconsideration of Oklahoma's Title X case, Oklahoma v. HHS, which challenges the Biden Administration's discriminatory denial of millions in Title X funding to Oklahoma solely because the State would not provide abortion referrals.
"The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that states have the constitutional authority to make significant policy decisions without regard to the whims of outside interests," said Drummond. "These rulings strengthen Oklahoma's position in defending our laws and policies that reflect the will of our citizens."
In both cases, the Supreme Court granted Oklahoma’s petition for certiorari and remanded the case to the Tenth Circuit for further review in light of recent decisions.
