A federal judge has ruled that Florida's law banning gender transition care for minors is unconstitutional. On June 11, 2024, Judge Robert L. Hinkle of the Federal District Court in Tallahassee nullified key parts of the law, which was passed by Republican lawmakers and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2023. The law had prohibited doctors from prescribing or administering transition-related medication to those under 18 and had imposed significant hurdles for adults seeking transition care, including mandating in-person doctor consultations.
Judge Hinkle, in a 105-page order, argued that "gender identity is real" and that the state's ban on widely accepted medical treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone treatments was unjustifiable. He stated, "The state of Florida can regulate as needed but cannot flatly deny transgender individuals safe and effective medical treatment."
This ruling follows a temporarily blocked enforcement by Judge Hinkle last year concerning the children of the three families that filed the lawsuit. The judge also invalidated restrictions requiring adult patients seeking transition care to meet with a doctor in person, not allowing telemedicine consultations.
Florida's law is part of a broader nationwide trend, with over 20 states enacting similar bans or restrictions on transition care for minors. Courts across the country have issued mixed rulings on these laws, creating uncertainty for transgender children and their families.
Governor DeSantis, who had ended his presidential campaign in January, is known for his stance against gender transition surgeries for minors, referring to them as a form of "child mutilation." The recent ruling, however, marks a significant legal challenge to these policies. The state of Florida plans to appeal the decision.