Florida Vote To Force Trans Youth To De-Transition With New Medical Ban
The Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine has voted in favor of new guidelines that ban gender-affirming care for minors, effectively forcing trans minors to de-transition.
The new rules proposed by Florida’s Health Department in April and backed by Governor Ron DeSantis prohibit gender-affirming surgical procedures, medications like puberty blockers and hormone therapy, and “any other procedure that alters primary or secondary sexual characteristics for the treatment of gender dysphoria” for patients under 18. Surgical procedures are almost never carried out on young people.
They would also institute a mandatory 24-hour waiting period for adults seeking gender-affirming care, according to LGBTQ Nation.
Gender-affirming care for both adolescents and adults has been endorsed by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, and many other professional groups. It is seen as necessary and lifesaving for transgender individuals. Vice News reported in August that ten researchers whose work was cited in Florida’s guidance say that their research was misrepresented or distorted to justify denying gender-affirming care.
Last week’s vote occurred after five hours of heated testimony, which Harvard Law Cyberlaw Clinic’s Alejandra Caraballo characterised as “stacked against trans youth.” Proponents of the ban were reportedly allowed to speak first, some making misleading and false claims. One doctor who testified in favor of the ban, falsely claiming that 90% of trans youth de-transition.
According to Common Dreams, public commentary was overwhelmingly against the ban.
“By proposing an alternative standard of care, Florida is ignoring the broad consensus among the medical community and the weight of peer-reviewed medical literature,” AAP president Dr. Moira Szilaygi said in written testimony. “We call on the Florida Board of Medicine to reject the call for the development of new standards of care and ensure that the existing evidence-based standards of care are allowed to be used to care for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. Only by doing so will the health and well-being of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria in Florida be preserved.”
“Going on testosterone is the single best decision I have ever made in my life and that is not an exaggeration,” said a teenager in a written testimony, who prefers to remain anonymous. “I am no longer suicidal. I can finally acknowledge and embrace the fact that I have a future, and a family that loves and accepts me for who I am. I don’t have to pretend to be someone else anymore. Until now. Until you.”
“Gender-affirming care saved my life at 16,” stated Aaron Demlow. “Please do not take this vital care away from other young people like me.”
Susan Nasrani, a retired social worker who counselled a transgender youth, testified that, “Having access to gender-affirming medical care kept this young person from deep depression and suicide.”
Despite this, the committee ended public comment early, telling opponents of the ban to email them. Queer activist Erin Reed called the proceedings “a sham hearing with fake experts.”
Following the committee’s vote, the proposed guidance advances for a final vote by the state’s full medical boards on November 4.
Read related myGwork articles here:
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Florida School District Now Requires Teachers To Out LGBTQ+ Students Because Of "Don’t Say Gay"
Florida Plans To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Youth
Florida Governor Signs "Don’t Say Gay" Bill While Surrounded By Kids Holding Anti-LGBTQ+ Signs
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