Judge Strikes Down Florida Ban on Gender Treatments for Transgender Minors

A federal judge on Tuesday overturned a Florida law banning puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy for transgender minors and restricting some treatments for adults. 

For Context: The law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2023, prevented medical practitioners from prescribing puberty blockers, hormones, or performing transgender surgeries on minors as part of his “Let Kids Be Kids” legislation. It also stipulated that adults must meet in-person with a physician before undertaking a medical transition. Parents of transgender children filed a class action lawsuit challenging the law, arguing it violated their child’s constitutional rights. 

Key Quotes: Finding the law unconstitutional, U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle wrote in a 105-page opinion that the lawmakers showed “clear that anti-transgender animus.” “Transgender opponents are of course free to hold their beliefs,” he said, “But they are not free to discriminate against transgender individuals just for being transgender.” Gov. DeSantis’ office called the statement “erroneous” and said they would appeal the ruling. 

How the Media Covered It: While coverage often highlighted quotes from the judge, it rarely linked to his actual order — the primary document in the story. Outlets on the left were more likely to put the ruling in the context of DeSantis’ other laws on trans issues, framing them as “anti-LGBTQ+,” while outlets on the right emphasized the permanence of medical transition, the rollback of transgender medical treatment in European countries, and other advocacy groups that disagree with the judge’s ruling.