Ron DeSantis skewered as federal judge declares his ban on transgender medical care ‘unconstitutional’
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: In a significant victory for the LGBTQ community, a federal judge has blocked most provisions of a controversial law championed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that aimed to restrict transgender healthcare.
US District Judge Robert L Hinkle ruled that the law, which strictly limited gender-affirming care for adults and banned it entirely for minors, is unconstitutional, as reported by The Washington Post.
Ron DeSantis' controversial law targeting transgenders deemed 'unconstitutional'
Hinkle delivered a powerful rebuke to the DeSantis administration's stance on transgender issues, asserting in his decision that "gender identity is real" and the state cannot deny necessary treatment to transgender individuals. He likened discrimination against transgender people to racism and misogyny.
"Florida has adopted a statute and rules that ban gender-affirming care for minors even when medically appropriate. The ban is unconstitutional," Hinkle stated in his ruling against DeSantis' controversial law.
The lawsuit, brought by parents of transgender children and several adults, was celebrated as a major positive milestone by the LGBTQ community. Across the US, a growing number of states have been enacting laws to prohibit gender-transition care for minors. However, Florida's law uniquely extended restrictions to adults.
Under the law, nurse practitioners were prohibited from prescribing hormones to transgender adults. While doctors could still provide this care, the shortage of available physicians made it nearly impossible for many to find treatment. Some individuals left the state in search of care, but many went without necessary medical interventions.
Joey Knoll, founder of Spektrum Health in Orlando, which specializes in healthcare for transgender individuals, expressed relief at Hinkle’s ruling. "Judge Hinkle captured it quite clearly, saying this is a situation of animus and discrimination. He looked at the facts and recognized that," Knoll expressed.
Despite the ruling, DeSantis’ administration remains resolute. Press secretary Jeremy Redfern announced the state’s intention to appeal.
"Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida will continue to fight to ensure children are not chemically or physically mutilated in the name of radical, new age 'gender ideology'," Redfern explained in a statement via email. He emphasized that the law, passed by elected representatives to "protect the children of this state," should not be overturned by the judiciary.
"These procedures do permanent, life-altering damage to children, and history will look back on this fad in horror," Redfern claimed.
Internet reacts as Ron DeSantis' transgender law is struck down
The internet responded swiftly to the news, with many users mocking DeSantis.
One user on Facebook remarked, "Politicians have no business making medical decisions for anyone. Medical decisions should only be made by the doctor and or patients."
Another commented, "Republicans don’t legislate, they just try to grift as much as possible, and leave a path of destruction and financial collapse in their wake."
A third user wrote, "DeSantis wants a Republican Police State."
Another user mentioned, "DeSantis clearly needs professional help with his deep-seated anxieties about gender and sexual identities. Working through his issues would be so much better than his attempts at legislative gay- and transgender-bashing of LGBTQ Floridians."
A fifth user posted, "DeSantis has no idea what freedom really means. He thinks the State should tell people what to do with their personal lives. He is another GOP wanna be dictator."
One user said, "Desantis is all about hate."
A seventh user stated, "Another defeat for the Dictator of Florida!"
Lastly, a user opined, "Take that desantis!! Ur bigotry is unwelcome."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
