The US state of Florida continues to take action against sexual minorities: Representatives of the Republican-governed state yesterday (local time) approved a law that prohibits doctors from providing medical care to underage transgender people in connection with gender reassignment surgery. It has yet to be signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, which is a sure thing. Criticism came from representatives of the LGBTQ community.
The law prohibits surgery, puberty blocker treatments, and hormone therapies. The only exceptions are for minors who are already taking hormones or puberty blockers. The law also aims to restrict access to treatment for adults.
Dozens of states with similar laws
Conservatives in the US are currently targeting gender and sexuality with a variety of policies. A dozen Republican-governed states have passed legislation similar to Florida’s in recent months.
Florida last month also expanded a law passed in 2022 that critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.” This means that teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited in all school classes. Previously, the ban applied from kindergarten to third grade.
