A federal judge blocked the application of a law imposed by the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled state legislature, which prohibits children under 18 from receiving “puberty blockers” and other health care related to drug treatments. gender identity.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Tuesday barred the state will apply the ban to three minors whose parents are part of an ongoing lawsuit, saying they would “suffer irreparable harm” if they were not allowed to continue to have access to hormones and other types of treatment.
The ruling by Judge Robert Hinkle of Tallahassee underscores that “gender identity is real” and blocks parts of a Florida law that prohibits transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers.
In a preliminary injunction, the judge alleges that the three trans minors can continue receiving treatment to change their gender, a decision that defies the law promoted by the governor of Florida, the Republican Ron DeSantis.
Hinkle’s ruling focused strictly on the three children whose parents filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida, a “claim,” the judge added, which “is likely to prevail,” channel 10 Tampa Bay picked up.
Hinkle’s ruling centers on the use of GnRH hormones, known as puberty blockers, among other treatments.
The magistrate said that people who mistakenly believe that gender identity is a choice also “tend to disapprove of anything transgender and therefore oppose healthcare that supports a person’s transgender existence.”
“Banning treatment for minors ignores the risks that patients could face,” in some cases, almost certainly, states of “anxiety and depression and even suicidal ideation,” Hinkle stressed.
“The challenged statute ignores the benefits many patients derive from these treatments and the substantial risk posed by forgoing treatments,” he said.
The preliminary precautionary measure does not apply to other minors who wish to obtain treatment, but the ruling suggests that a key part of the law itself could be struck down as the legal challenge progresses.
Lawmakers in Republican-led Florida approved the new law in early May, calling the treatments “evil” and “child abuse.”
Last May, the Florida Senate and House gave the green light to a controversial bill (SB 254) that outlaws gender-affirming treatments for minors, a decision in line with DeSantis’ opposition to these therapies.
It had already entered into force in March a measure issued by the Florida Medical Board that prohibits minors from receiving hormones or gender change treatments, a restriction that excludes children and adolescents who had already initiated gender affirmation guidelines.
Under the new state medical rule, minors experiencing gender dysphoria can no longer make changes to their bodies to transition.
The ban is in line with the criteria of DeSantis, who has expressed his rejection of “gender-affirming” treatments on multiple occasions, and with the recent resolution of the Florida Legislature.
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Source: La Opinion
