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Florida’s health agency cites a peer-reviewed 2020 analysis of German children with gender dysphoria as evidence for its recommendation against allowing transgender youth to socially transition. The study found that peer and family support should be provided instead of encouraging a trans child to socially transition, since the authors could not prove a direct link between socially transitioning and improved mental health. By contrast, pediatricians who work with trans youth say the reversible and affirming practice helps lessen depression and anxiety.
Liz Jaques, who lives in Orange Park, Florida, is helping her 13-year-old son, AJ, socially transition alongside his medical transition. She sees it as a very important part of supporting him.
“How can you support the child and then tell them, when we leave the house, you have to look this way or dress this way and use this name?” she said.
Jaques is worried about whether her son’s pediatrician will follow the new guidelines against providing hormones and puberty blockers, potentially denying her son care he is currently receiving. She’s also worried about what the guidelines could mean for his mental health.
Anthony Michael Kreis, who teaches constitutional law and employment discrimination at the Georgia State University College of Law, said though the guidelines are unenforceable, they do signal a hostility toward trans children that might lay the groundwork for further action by the state — similar to Texas’ attorney general issuing a directive that gender-affirming care is child abuse. (There is now an ongoing legal battle over that directive.)
“I think it’s important to know that nothing has really changed in the last few hours, but it might signal something much more dangerous, creeping ahead,” he said. “The focus on social-based trans care is something we really haven’t seen any state target,” he said.
Sam Ames, director of advocacy and government affairs at LGBTQ+ suicide prevention organization the Trevor Project, said in a news release that Florida Health is ignoring evidence in their 2021 peer-reviewed study that found receiving gender-affirming care is linked to lower odds of depression and attempting suicide for minors.
“Gender-affirming care can save lives,” they said.
Redfern, with the Florida Department of Health, said that the agency had no comment when asked for the agency’s response to LGBTQ+ and civil rights organizations condemning the guidelines as harmful to trans youth.
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In announcing its guidelines Wednesday, Florida’s health department framed its position on gender-affirming care as opposing the Biden administration.
Last month, the federal HHS Office for Civil Rights released a statement saying that parents who believe their child has been denied gender-affirming healthcare should file a complaint with the office — and that healthcare providers who believe they are being unlawfully restricted from providing that care on the basis of a patient’s gender identity should also file a complaint.
When asked for comment on the Florida health department’s newly released guidelines, an HHS spokesperson pointed to a statement Wednesday by Sarah Lovenheim, HHS assistant secretary for public affairs.
“For anyone who needs to hear this, we’ve said it before: We are committed to protecting young Americans who are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and supporting their parents, caretakers and families,” Lovenheim said.
Originally published by The 19th
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