Chase Strangio made history Wednesday when he became the first openly trans attorney to argue before the US Supreme Court. An attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, Strangio argued against a Tennessee law denying gender-affirming care for minors.

The high court appeared ready to deal a savage blow to the rights and livelihoods of a group that conservatives have spent the year targeting.

For Chase Strangio, the professional path that’s led to this moment – in which he’ll have 15 minutes to present an argument defending gender-affirming care for trans youth before the Supreme Court – cannot be unwoven from his life outside the courtroom.

When the Supreme Court this week wades into the contentious issue of transgender rights, the justices will hear from an attorney with knowledge that runs deep. Chase Strangio will be the first openly transgender attorney to argue before the nation’s highest court,