Florida's Medical Board Approves Draft Rule Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors, Spurring Outrage from LGBTQ+ Advocates.
A joint committee of Florida's medical boards voted in favor of a draft rule that would ban doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youth under the age of 18. The proposal has sparked widespread outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates and their allies.
Under the proposed rule, puberty-blocking medications and hormone treatments for minors would be prohibited, as well as gender-affirming surgery. Critics argue that these treatments are crucial in addressing the unique physical, emotional, and psychological needs of transgender youth.
"We are deeply disappointed by this vote," said Alejandra Caraballo, a legal expert who tweeted that the hearing was "stacked against trans youth from the start." Dr. Moira Szilaygi, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), also expressed her disapproval, stating that the proposed ban ignores the medical consensus and puts the well-being of transgender minors at risk.
Testimony presented during the committee hearing revealed the devastating consequences faced by many trans youth who have been denied access to these life-saving treatments. One teenager shared their harrowing experience of being rejected by their parents and forced to hide their true identity, only to later discover the importance of hormone treatment in saving their life.
The draft rule has sparked widespread criticism from medical experts, LGBTQ+ advocates, and concerned citizens, with many calling for Florida's lawmakers to reject this proposal.
"The hearing was a sham," tweeted Erin Reed, a trans rights defender. "They relied on fake experts and cut the testimony early, leaving many to not speak."
This proposed ban is part of a larger trend of laws eliminating or limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ youth in Republican-controlled states. As one progressive group tweeted, "Our votes do matter, and can impact the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Florida."
A joint committee of Florida's medical boards voted in favor of a draft rule that would ban doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youth under the age of 18. The proposal has sparked widespread outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates and their allies.
Under the proposed rule, puberty-blocking medications and hormone treatments for minors would be prohibited, as well as gender-affirming surgery. Critics argue that these treatments are crucial in addressing the unique physical, emotional, and psychological needs of transgender youth.
"We are deeply disappointed by this vote," said Alejandra Caraballo, a legal expert who tweeted that the hearing was "stacked against trans youth from the start." Dr. Moira Szilaygi, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), also expressed her disapproval, stating that the proposed ban ignores the medical consensus and puts the well-being of transgender minors at risk.
Testimony presented during the committee hearing revealed the devastating consequences faced by many trans youth who have been denied access to these life-saving treatments. One teenager shared their harrowing experience of being rejected by their parents and forced to hide their true identity, only to later discover the importance of hormone treatment in saving their life.
The draft rule has sparked widespread criticism from medical experts, LGBTQ+ advocates, and concerned citizens, with many calling for Florida's lawmakers to reject this proposal.
"The hearing was a sham," tweeted Erin Reed, a trans rights defender. "They relied on fake experts and cut the testimony early, leaving many to not speak."
This proposed ban is part of a larger trend of laws eliminating or limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ youth in Republican-controlled states. As one progressive group tweeted, "Our votes do matter, and can impact the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Florida."
! I mean I get that there are people who disagree with gender-affirming care but to completely ban it for minors is just not right 
. Those kids need medical help and support, they can't just magically figure out what's going on with their bodies and minds 
. It's like, we should be supporting them not restricting their access to healthcare 
. And the stories of trans youth who've been denied treatment are heartbreaking 
. We gotta stand up for these kids and make sure our voices are heard 
!
and yet florida's lawmakers r more concerned with "protecting" ppl from themselves lol what about protectin' them from harm 2?? 
this proposed ban needs 2 be rejected ASAP by fl lawmakers 
I'm literally speechless right now... this is like something out of a nightmare! 
What's next? Banning vaccines for kids who have one family member who's trans? 
This is an outrage, plain and simple. We need to stand up for these kids and fight this bill tooth and nail! 
. I mean, we're talking about minors here who might be struggling with their identity and it's not like they're asking for some crazy surgery or anything. Puberty blockers are literally just hormone treatments that slow down puberty, so it's not like they're going to grow breasts overnight 
. And hormone treatments can save lives, period 
. It's not about letting kids do whatever they want, it's about giving them access to medical care that could make a huge difference in their lives. The fact that some experts are saying this ignores the medical consensus is wild - we're talking about doctors who specialize in pediatrics here 
. And what's next? Banning antidepressants for teenagers with depression? 
This rule needs to go, and like, now 
.
like that's a thing we haven't seen enough of already! Puberty-blocking meds and hormone treatments for minors gettin' banned, what's next, no more Fortnite tournaments for kids with rainbow hair 
. Let's get real, folks, we can't just ignore the science and medical consensus on this one. I mean, who wouldn't wanna help a kid figure out who they are, right? 
we need to stand up for these kids and make sure they have access to the care they need. it's not just about 'choice' or 'family values', it's about basic human rights!!! 
I'm so worried about the well-being of trans youth in Florida right now 
. We can't just erase their identities and tell them they have to live in a body that doesn't match who they are 
. And what about the kids who get rejected by their families and are forced to hide who they are? That's some heavy emotional trauma right there 
. Our votes do matter, and let's make sure they use them to protect the rights of all kids, regardless of who they love 
This whole thing reeks of an attempt to control the narrative around trans youth's health and well-being. It's like they're trying to gaslight them into thinking their bodies aren't doing what they naturally know is happening. Newsflash: puberty doesn't care about Republican or Democrat, it just happens! 
We need to stand up for the rights of these young people and demand better, more inclusive policies that prioritize their health and well-being above all else. 
. And what about the parents who can't protect their kids from hate and rejection themselves? This rule is gonna hurt so many families, and it's just not fair 
. We need to stand up for these young people and make sure they have access to the care they need 
.
and now the american academy of pediatrics is speaking out against it too... what's next, fl man gonna ban vaccinations for kids? 
. I mean, have you seen those testimony videos from trans youth? It's heartbreaking