Federal Judge Blocks DeSantis Ban on Gender Affirmation Care for Transgender Youth in Florida: ‘Gender Identity Is Real’

a federal judge ruled in part floridaordered a ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors in a ruling that denounced anti-transgender bias and exposed false claims by state officials.

of Ruling On June 6, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement. law signed by the governor Ron DeSantis and rule The law prevents groups of transgender youth who have sued the state from receiving widely accepted treatments, such as anti-pubertal drugs and hormone therapy, amid rolling legal challenges.

Judge Hinkle, appointed by then-President Bill Clinton, ruled as follows: Lawsuit Against State Surgeon General A group of Florida families with transgender children said the state of Florida has “reasonable grounds for transgender health care bans that prevent transgender youth from receiving safe and effective medically necessary care.” , let alone prove any material or convincing evidence.”

Judge Hinkle’s ruling watered down the state’s claims, pointing to the discriminatory language and prejudices that fueled Florida’s rule and similar legislation across the country, noting that “part of the proceedings that led to the adoption of this law” , denouncing the “implicit proposal” going on behind the scenes. And the rule at issue, and under the surface of some defense attorney testimony, is that transgender identities are not real, they are made up. “

“The elephant in the room should be noted first. Gender identity is real.

“Adherents of contested laws and regulations should either put up with it or shut up. Do they accept or deny that some individuals have an actual gender identity opposite to the sex they were assigned at birth? Dog Whistle It should not be tolerated,” he added.

The judge said that widely accepted standards of care were upheld by major health agencies and physicians, that “great weight of medical authority” supported medical affirmation, and that prohibiting such treatments was unconstitutional. He said the plaintiff’s allegation is likely to win the lawsuit. .

The judge’s order also condemned Florida’s dubious allegations of “regret” for transitioning and false statements that Florida participated in an “international agreement” for medical affirmations.

“This allegation is false. “No country in Europe has outright banned these treatments.”

Jane Doe, who joined the lawsuit on behalf of herself and her transgender daughter Susan, said in a statement that her family “breathe a huge sigh of relief” after the verdict.

“Both my husband and I are heartbroken and deeply concerned that we will not be able to care for our daughter the way we know she needs,” she said. “Most parents can imagine the helplessness of not being able to do basic things like get medical care for their children.”

The family’s representatives are Southern Legal Counsel, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, National Lesbian Rights Center, and Human Rights Campaign.

In a statement, an organization that supports bereaved families said the ruling “strongly recognizes the humanity of transgender people, the effectiveness of established, science-based medical care, and the right of parents to make informed decisions about their children’s medical care.” It affirms,” he said. “

Independent has reached out to the Florida Department of Health for comment.

By the end of May, state legislatures across the country had introduced more than 500 bills with impact. LGBT+ Analysis by Human Rights Campaign includes 220 bills targeted specifically at transgender and nonbinary Americans this year. More than 70 such bills have been signed into law.

At least 19 states have enacted laws and policies banning affirmations of health care for transgender youth, all of which affect health care providers and major medical organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. contrary to guidance.