Florida’s ban on transgender treatments for minors has been blocked by a federal judge.
Florida Judge Partially Blocks Ban on Transgender Treatments for Minors
A federal judge in Florida has partially blocked the state from enforcing its recent ban on certain treatments for “gender dysphoria” in people under 18. The ban included puberty blockers and hormone therapy, but the preliminary order from U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee allows three transgender children to continue with their treatment while hearing a lawsuit by seven families who sued to challenge the law.
The order applies only to the three transgender children in the lawsuit and their health care providers, but it will remain in effect while the judge considers the lawsuit. One of the plaintiff parents said in a statement, “Today my entire family is breathing a huge sigh of relief knowing we can now access the treatment that we know will keep Susan healthy and allow her to continue being the happy, confident child she has been.”
Violation of Rights
Florida’s medical licensing boards adopted bans on transgender treatments for minors in March, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed a similar ban passed by the state legislature last month. However, the families said in their complaint that the bans violated their right to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution and parents’ right to make medical decisions for their children.
The children in the case range in age from 8 to 14. Two have already been prescribed puberty blockers, and all of their parents expect they will need puberty blockers or hormones in the future.
Judge Criticizes Law as “Motivated by Bigotry”
While Wednesday’s order is not a final judgment, Hinkle said the plaintiffs were likely to win. He harshly criticized the law as motivated by “bigotry,” noting that one state legislator had called transgender witnesses at a public hearing “demons.”
Florida attorney general Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This ban is the latest of a slew of laws passed by Florida and other states restricting transgender treatments.
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