The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors on Wednesday in a setback for transgender rights that could bolster efforts by states to defend other measures targeting transgender people.

Washington — The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee law that restricts access to gender-affirming care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, clearing the way for the medical treatments for transgender youth to be limited in half of the country.

One mother in Tennessee, who spoke on the condition on anonymity to protect her transgender child’s identity, described a roller coaster of anger and sadness once the family heard the ruling. It was difficult, she said, to explain to her child why lawmakers and the court were opposed to treatment that felt so essential.