Diversity Rules Magazine

Diversity Rules Magazine| May 2023| 15 Florida families challenging the state's ban on medi- cally necessary healthcare for their transgender chil- dren filed a mo on today asking the court to halt the ban while their case proceeds. Parents told the fed- eral district court in their mo on for a preliminary injunc on that the ban, which went into effect late last month, is causing their children significant harm through canceled doctors appointments and denials of treatment. "No parent should be forced to sit by, powerless, while they watch their child experience unneces- sary trauma and distress. This ban strips me and my husband of the right to care for our daughter and puts us in exactly that posi on," said Jane Doe, who is challenging the ban on behalf of herself and her daughter, Susan.* "Our team of doctors has con- firmed that Susan will need to start puberty blocking medica on very soon as the next step in trea ng her gender dysphoria, but the Boards of Medicine rules prohibit them or any physician in the state from pro- viding the treatment she needs. Thanks to the care she has received to date, Susan is a happy, confident child. She's a girl scout, a straight A student, and has a great group of friends. It breaks my heart to know this ban could take that away. I hope the court will understand that and allow me to get my daughter the medical care she needs to keep her healthy and thriving." "All I want as a parent is to make sure my son is as healthy and happy as he can be. I can't understand why the state would interfere with that by making it impossible for me to get him the medical care he needs," said Gloria Goe, who is challenging the ban on behalf of herself and her son Gavin.* "Gavin has known he is a boy from a young age. While it took us me to understand what that meant, consul ng with our trusted pediatrician helped us to be able to sup- port him. That was absolutely the right path as we've watched Gavin grow into a bright, social, and happy child. Our pediatrician has now recommended that Gavin meet with a pediatric endocrinologist to evalu- ate next steps, but the appointment I made for him was canceled and this ban keeps anyone in the state from ensuring he gets all the medical care he needs. The state's policy banning the care my son needs has taken away my right to make the best, most informed decision for him and his health." "As a parent, it's my job to protect my daughter from harm and make sure she has everything she needs to live a healthy life. But I feel powerless in the face of this ban, which has taken away my ability to get her the healthcare she needs," said Linda Loe, who is challenging the ban on behalf of herself and her daughter Lisa.* "Our pediatric endocrinologist con- firmed in March that Lisa needs to start puberty blocking medica on to maintain her health, but the clinic has told us they can't provide it because of the state's ban. Lisa was such a happy-go-lucky kid, but I have seen the devasta ng toll her gender dysphoria has taken on her health and know that she desper- ately needs to begin treatment. I feel as if we are rac- ing against the clock to find a way to get her the care she needs." In addi on to the mo on for a preliminary injunc on, plain ffs filed an amended complaint today adding three addi onal families to the lawsuit. The seven parents challenging the ban on behalf of themselves and their children argue that the policy unlawfully strips them of the right to make informed decisions about their children's medical treatment and violates the equal protec on rights of transgender youth by denying them medically necessary, doctor-recom- mended healthcare. The plain ffs are represented by Southern Legal Counsel, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the Na onal Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Human Rights Campaign. Florida's ban on established medical care for trans- gender youth came through rules finalized by the state's Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medi- cine that have faced widespread scru ny for ignor- ing established medical and scien fic consensus on treatment for adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria.The bans contradict guidelines recom- mended by every major medical associa on includ- ing the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Ameri- can Medical Associa on, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Similar bans on established medical care for trans- gender youth have been blocked by federal judges in Trans - Con't on page 16 Florida Parents Seek Emergency Ruling to Resume Medical Care for Transgender Adolescents

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