Judge lifts gender-affirming care bans
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Florida's restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors and adults are unconstitutional and cannot be enforced, a federal judge ruled yesterday.
Why it matters: The decision lifts restrictions for transgender adults and overturns a ban on trans children seeking care such as hormones and puberty blockers — considered necessary, sometimes life-saving health treatment by major medical associations.
- "Transgender opponents are of course free to hold their beliefs," U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle wrote in his 105-page ruling.
- "But they are not free to discriminate against transgender individuals just for being transgender."
Between the lines: The ruling marks a major victory for transgender Floridians who have faced numerous restrictions on health care and public expression under Gov. Ron DeSantis and Department of Health Secretary Joseph Ladapo.
What they're saying: "I'm so relieved the court saw there is no medical basis for this law — it was passed just to target transgender people like me and try to push us out of Florida," said Lucien Hamel, a 27-year-old trans man who testified at a three-day trial in December.
The other side: "We disagree with the Court's erroneous rulings on the law, on the facts, and on the science," DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern said. He added that the state plans to appeal.
Catch up quick: Several trans children and their parents last May sued the state over the gender-affirming care ban for minors, which went into effect in March 2023.
- The suit was later expanded to include adult restrictions. Those included a requirement that only physicians could provide hormone treatment, interrupting care for trans adults overseen by nurse practitioners.
The bottom line: Yesterday's ruling permanently blocks enforcement and applies to all transgender Floridians.