Kate Redburn
@kredburn.bsky.social
Associate Prof. and Director, Center for Gender & Sexuality Law, Columbia Law School.
Out today in HLR, my piece Skrmetti Beyond Scrutiny. What happened, what it means for trans rights and sex equality more broadly: harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-13...
Skrmetti Beyond Scrutiny - Harvard Law Review
In United States v. Skrmetti, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), a state law that prohibits transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming care.
harvardlawreview.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Out today in HLR, my piece Skrmetti Beyond Scrutiny. What happened, what it means for trans rights and sex equality more broadly: harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-13...
to be clear: the government's claim - validated by the Court - is that it would *irreparably harm* the president to not misgender trans people
NEW: On the shadow docket, the Supreme Court lets Trump resume misgendering trans Americans on their passports, claiming "the government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment." All three liberals dissent. www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
![This case concerns an Executive Branch policy requiring
all new passports to display an individual’s biological sex at
birth. The United States District Court for the District of
Massachusetts preliminarily enjoined the Government
from enforcing the policy, and the First Circuit declined to
stay the injunction pending appeal. The Government then
filed this stay application. Applying our familiar stay fac-
tors at this preliminary stage, we grant the application.
Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends
equal protection principles than displaying their country of
birth—in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to
a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential
treatment. And on this record, respondents have failed to
establish that the Government’s choice to display biological
sex “lack[s] any purpose other than a bare . . . desire to
harm a politically unpopular group.” Trump v. Hawaii, 585
U. S. 667, 705 (2018) (internal quotation marks omitted).
Nor are respondents likely to prevail in arguing that the
State Department acted arbitrarily and capriciously by de-
clining to depart from Presidential rules that Congress ex-
pressly required it to follow. See 22 U. S. C. §211a.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h7b2i6ttw3l4t7pvbvxdith/bafkreiacrtgoecxjy5y7ojz7xzbun4c4nwutjcvqn4qb4p25ldpt6va5lu@jpeg)
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
to be clear: the government's claim - validated by the Court - is that it would *irreparably harm* the president to not misgender trans people
Worth reading the dissent in this horrible order - Justice Jackson points to the pattern of emergency docket abuse and the absurdity of the government's claims.
BREAKING: SCOTUS lets Trump administration implement anti-trans, anti-nonbinary passport policy.
The Democratic appointees, led by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented. The ruling, which applies during litigation, effectively reverses two lower court rulings.
Today, at Law Dork:
The Democratic appointees, led by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented. The ruling, which applies during litigation, effectively reverses two lower court rulings.
Today, at Law Dork:
Breaking: SCOTUS lets Trump administration implement anti-trans, anti-nonbinary passport policy
The Democratic appointees, led by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented. The ruling, which applies during litigation, effectively reverses two lower court rulings.
www.lawdork.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Worth reading the dissent in this horrible order - Justice Jackson points to the pattern of emergency docket abuse and the absurdity of the government's claims.
Reposted by Kate Redburn
You African Studies majors out there: you too can become mayor of New York City!!!
November 5, 2025 at 3:01 AM
You African Studies majors out there: you too can become mayor of New York City!!!
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Excited about the first @lpenyc.bsky.social Night School event of the new academic year, now at @cuny.edu Law — with @masonbwilliams.bsky.social and Gregory Louis in conversation with @llchristyll.bsky.social!!
RSVP below!
RSVP below!
How NYC Became So Unequal
Ever wonder why CUNY is no longer free? Confused why the subway fare keeps rising while service declines? Join LPE NYC on October 23 at 6:30pm for a conversation between Professors Gregory Louis and…
lpeproject.org
October 12, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Excited about the first @lpenyc.bsky.social Night School event of the new academic year, now at @cuny.edu Law — with @masonbwilliams.bsky.social and Gregory Louis in conversation with @llchristyll.bsky.social!!
RSVP below!
RSVP below!
Such a pleasure to join @imarajones.bsky.social on @translash.org to talk about the history of anti-queer and trans surveillance
This week on TransLash Podcast, @imarajones.bsky.social sits down with @kredburn.bsky.social and @ziembavision.bsky.social to discuss the DHS rolling back limitations on surveillance based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
🎧 Listen now: linktr.ee/translashmedia
🎧 Listen now: linktr.ee/translashmedia
September 21, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Such a pleasure to join @imarajones.bsky.social on @translash.org to talk about the history of anti-queer and trans surveillance
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Genevieve Lakier is who everyone should be reading on the risks of government jawboning in the Jimmy Kimmel case. @genevievelakier.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Genevieve Lakier is who everyone should be reading on the risks of government jawboning in the Jimmy Kimmel case. @genevievelakier.bsky.social
Part of the success of “cancel culture” as a meme is that it makes dissimilar activity look the same. Protesting a speaker is not the same as shunning sexual predators is not the same as the federal government silencing dissent.
“What we’re seeing is an unprecedented attempt to silence disfavored speech by the government,” said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. “Donald Trump is trying to dictate what Americans can say.” https://to.pbs.org/46AYg7U
Trump's moves against media outlets mirror authoritarian approaches to silencing dissent
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has waged an aggressive campaign against the media unlike any in modern U.S. history, making moves similar to those of authoritarian leaders that...
to.pbs.org
September 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Part of the success of “cancel culture” as a meme is that it makes dissimilar activity look the same. Protesting a speaker is not the same as shunning sexual predators is not the same as the federal government silencing dissent.
Reposted by Kate Redburn
I wrote a book that I hope helps people think about the relationship between law, science, social movements, &political economy.
It tells the story of how feminists transformed the response to AIDS to ensure better access to healthcare.
Avail for preorder!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/r...
It tells the story of how feminists transformed the response to AIDS to ensure better access to healthcare.
Avail for preorder!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/r...
Risk and Resistance
Cambridge Core - American Studies - Risk and Resistance
www.cambridge.org
September 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I wrote a book that I hope helps people think about the relationship between law, science, social movements, &political economy.
It tells the story of how feminists transformed the response to AIDS to ensure better access to healthcare.
Avail for preorder!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/r...
It tells the story of how feminists transformed the response to AIDS to ensure better access to healthcare.
Avail for preorder!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/r...
It can be hard to keep up with all the ways the feds are going after trans folks- really helpful analysis of concerning developments at FTC from @lookheron.bsky.social
NEW: @lookheron.bsky.social evaluates the FTC’s transformation into a political tool to advance a conservative social agenda. He argues that no initiative better exemplifies the agency’s politicization than its investigation into gender-affirming care that threatens transgender rights and autonomy.
The FTC’s Investigation Into Gender-Affirming Care Exemplifies Its Impressment Into the Culture Wars - ProMarket
Luke Herrine evaluates the Federal Trade Commission’s transformation into a political tool to advance a conservative social agenda. He argues that no FTC initiative better exemplifies the agency’s politicization than its investigation into gender-affirming care that threatens transgender rights and autonomy.
www.promarket.org
September 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It can be hard to keep up with all the ways the feds are going after trans folks- really helpful analysis of concerning developments at FTC from @lookheron.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Redburn
There are two big legal issues when states try to fill gaps in fed health insurance regulations: (1) the insurance issue is more likely to require new state legislation than the pharmacy issue & (2) states can’t touch two of the biggest types of insurance - “self-insured” employer plans & Medicare
September 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
There are two big legal issues when states try to fill gaps in fed health insurance regulations: (1) the insurance issue is more likely to require new state legislation than the pharmacy issue & (2) states can’t touch two of the biggest types of insurance - “self-insured” employer plans & Medicare
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Several states are moving fast to remove barriers, but their power over insurance coverage is more limited than their power to permit pharmacists to give vaccines.…
September 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Several states are moving fast to remove barriers, but their power over insurance coverage is more limited than their power to permit pharmacists to give vaccines.…
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Subpoenas made public this week show the government is demanding doctors turn over a wide range of sensitive, identifiable data about its trans patients — everything from social security numbers to Zoom records, notes, addresses, "everything written or recorded." Our story: wapo.st/4lAnkRy
Government’s demand for trans care info sought addresses, doctors’ notes, texts
Legal experts said the Justice Department subpoenas related to medical care for transgender minors appear to be unprecedented.
wapo.st
August 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Subpoenas made public this week show the government is demanding doctors turn over a wide range of sensitive, identifiable data about its trans patients — everything from social security numbers to Zoom records, notes, addresses, "everything written or recorded." Our story: wapo.st/4lAnkRy
The astounding triumph Born in Flames by @benchansfield.bsky.social is out! The rare work of history that changes common sense - in this case the burning of the Bronx and other cities in the 70s - while also making revelatory moves for theory and historiography.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/b...
When the Bronx Burned, Tenants Died and Landlords Got Rich
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
The astounding triumph Born in Flames by @benchansfield.bsky.social is out! The rare work of history that changes common sense - in this case the burning of the Bronx and other cities in the 70s - while also making revelatory moves for theory and historiography.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/b...
Under the radar, gender affirming care won’t be covered by major federal insurance programs. www.advocate.com/politics/fed...
Trump quietly bans federal health insurance from covering gender-affirming care
The largest federal health insurance provider now bans coverage for gender-affirming care, but allows "faith-based counseling."
www.advocate.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Under the radar, gender affirming care won’t be covered by major federal insurance programs. www.advocate.com/politics/fed...
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Today is publication day and I can't wait for my pre-ordered copy to arrive. CONGRATULATIONS BENCH! Get your own copy today and read it with others.
Less than one week until the publication of BORN IN FLAMES! It makes a huge difference if you *preorder* before 8/19! Get the book from any outlet and my press will send you these 4 beautiful stickers once you fill out the form copied below.
August 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Today is publication day and I can't wait for my pre-ordered copy to arrive. CONGRATULATIONS BENCH! Get your own copy today and read it with others.
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Back to school! ✨📚 Excited to teach “Law and Inequality” again at @brooklynlawschool.bsky.social, joined by these wonderful scholars:
Alice Abrokwa
Matthew Patrick Shaw
Russell Robinson
@kredburn.bsky.social
@lauraportuondo.bsky.social
Maureen Edobor
Susan Sturm
Alice Abrokwa
Matthew Patrick Shaw
Russell Robinson
@kredburn.bsky.social
@lauraportuondo.bsky.social
Maureen Edobor
Susan Sturm
August 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Back to school! ✨📚 Excited to teach “Law and Inequality” again at @brooklynlawschool.bsky.social, joined by these wonderful scholars:
Alice Abrokwa
Matthew Patrick Shaw
Russell Robinson
@kredburn.bsky.social
@lauraportuondo.bsky.social
Maureen Edobor
Susan Sturm
Alice Abrokwa
Matthew Patrick Shaw
Russell Robinson
@kredburn.bsky.social
@lauraportuondo.bsky.social
Maureen Edobor
Susan Sturm
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Torts teachers: the 2025 edition of the completely FREE Witt-Tani casebook is now up on the CALI website! Thanks again to @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social for adding me as a co-author a few editions back. I love this book & love hearing from those of you who use it! www.cali.org/books/torts-...
Torts: Cases, Principles, and Institutions | CALI
www.cali.org
July 31, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Torts teachers: the 2025 edition of the completely FREE Witt-Tani casebook is now up on the CALI website! Thanks again to @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social for adding me as a co-author a few editions back. I love this book & love hearing from those of you who use it! www.cali.org/books/torts-...
Reposted by Kate Redburn
Very disheartening (& gratuitously cruel) that the federal government has gone all the way from (i) Title IX requires schools to allow transgender students access to restrooms (which is correct) to (ii) Title IX prohibits schools from doing so (which ain't).[1]
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Education Dept. says it’ll pull funding from five Virginia districts over gender policies
The Education Department investigated the schools’ transgender policies after a complaint was filed by a group founded by senior White House official Stephen Miller.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Very disheartening (& gratuitously cruel) that the federal government has gone all the way from (i) Title IX requires schools to allow transgender students access to restrooms (which is correct) to (ii) Title IX prohibits schools from doing so (which ain't).[1]
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Reposted by Kate Redburn
On this day in 1924, Phyllis Schlafly was born. She spearheaded efforts to block ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 70s and 80s, in part by denying the persistence of discrimination against women. Then she tried to get an important post in the Reagan admin & was passed over. #WeTheMen
August 15, 2025 at 1:44 PM
On this day in 1924, Phyllis Schlafly was born. She spearheaded efforts to block ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 70s and 80s, in part by denying the persistence of discrimination against women. Then she tried to get an important post in the Reagan admin & was passed over. #WeTheMen
Reposted by Kate Redburn
We can’t wait to read your ideas! For more information and to submit, check out our website: lawandpoliticaleconomy.org
Association of Law & Political Economy -
Call for Papers: Inaugural Association of Law and Political Economy (ALPE) Conference
lawandpoliticaleconomy.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
We can’t wait to read your ideas! For more information and to submit, check out our website: lawandpoliticaleconomy.org
Reposted by Kate Redburn
⭐️ Are you a scholar 1-3 years away from the job market? Learn more about applying to our emerging scholars program at this link: lawandpoliticaleconomy.org.
August 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
⭐️ Are you a scholar 1-3 years away from the job market? Learn more about applying to our emerging scholars program at this link: lawandpoliticaleconomy.org.
Reposted by Kate Redburn
📢 Heads up! The Association of Law & Political Economy is accepting submissions for our first-ever conference starting THIS Friday 🎉
August 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
📢 Heads up! The Association of Law & Political Economy is accepting submissions for our first-ever conference starting THIS Friday 🎉