Florida Advises Against Gender-Affirming Care for Children and Teens

In newly issued guidelines, contradicting existing direction by major medical health associations and federal health officials, Florida’s Department of Health is now advising against gender-affirming care for children and adolescents. Florida joins Texas and Alabama, states that have already moved to restrict transgender healthcare rights.

Florida’s new guidelines fail to address the potential for irreversible harm caused by forcing children to be someone they are not. Research has shown that transgender and nonbinary teens who received gender-affirming care are at smaller risk of suicidal ideation. Additionally, the Florida guidelines do not confront the risks of forcing a teen to go through a puberty that does not match one’s gender identity as an established, life-threatening risk. This new guidance forces parents to dress trans kids according to their sex assigned at birth.

Gender-affirming care is supportive healthcare that consists of “medical, surgical, mental health, and non-medical services for transgender and nonbinary people,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Major medical associations including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry agree that this care is clinically appropriate for children and adults and can save lives.

Studies show that when transgender youth receive appropriate gender-affirming care, depression rates drop by 60%, and suicide rates drop by 73%.

The new guidance in Florida stipulates transgender and gender-nonconforming children should not be offered social transition care. This care includes the accepted practice of adopting a name, pronouns, and clothing that better matches their gender identity. The guidance also excludes the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-reassignment surgery, leaving all but those born with a genetically or biochemically verifiable disorder of sex development (DSD) without available gender-affirming care, CNN reports.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo claims the HHS move to protect gender-affirming care is about “injecting political ideology into the health of our children.” In Texas, leaders have claimed that gender-affirming care is “child abuse.” In response, GLAAD says, “denying kids lifesaving, medically necessary, gender-affirming care is downright dangerous.”

Currently, gender-affirming surgery for transgender individuals is not available for those under the age of 18. Without explanation, Florida’s guidelines do allow for cosmetic surgery on a minor’s genitalia if they have an inherited disorder. Parents may select a surgical option so their child’s appearance conforms to their ideas about what gender should look like.

HHS has issued a statement confirming that access to affirming care for transgender youth is essential and can be lifesaving. HHS stands by their issued guidance that gender-affirming care for minors, when medically appropriate and necessary, improves both physical and mental health.