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The Florida Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
On November 4, 2022, the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine approved a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
This ban includes puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries, and is seen as a transphobic measure by many. Violation of this ruling could result in the revocation of a physician's license by the state of Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Board's Decision
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed the members of both the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine and the Florida Board of Medicine, which are traditionally non-partisan. It is not surprising that these board members sided with the ban, as it aligns with DeSantis' conservative beliefs. This decision has been denounced by organizations such as SisterLove, who argue that it violates the doctor-patient right to privacy and the legal right to doctor-patient confidentiality.
Evidence-Based Findings and Federally Affirmed Care
The ban on gender-affirming care for minors goes against evidence-based findings from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS states that attempts to block parents from making critical healthcare decisions for their children negatively impact the health and well-being of transgender and gender nonconforming youth. Federally affirmed care includes puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy during adolescence, with transgender surgery being done on a case-by-case basis.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Stance
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines gender identity as one's internal sense of self, which can be stable, shifting, or fluid. They state that transgender individuals are those whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex and remains persistent, consistent, and insistent over time. According to the AAP, transgender youth are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation and attempts compared to cisgender youth.
Oppression and the Fight for Health Equity
SisterLove and other organizations stand with the transgender community in their fight against this ban and similar decisions across the country. These actions are seen as forms of oppression, and states should leave body-affirming treatments in the hands of the treating physicians, the family, and the minor. Those who believe their child has been denied healthcare based on their identity can file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
