Dem Appointed Judge Targets DeSantis & The Will Of The People
Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to protect children from dangerous leftist initiatives was dealt a blow on Tuesday after Judge Robert Hinkle partially struck down the “Let Kids Be Kids” bill package, which prevents doctors from prescribing hormones and surgery to minors.
In a 44-page ruling, Hinkle wrote, “Gender identity is real. The record makes this clear,” and concluded, “There are risks attendant to not using these treatments, including the risk — in some instances, the near certainty — of anxiety and depression and even suicidal ideation. The challenged statute ignores the benefits that many patients realize from these treatments and the substantial risk posed by foregoing the treatments.”
The judge who blocked Florida’s anti-transgender law criticizes the state for relying on the expertise of a doctor against “gender-affirming care” because the doctor, who is against “gender-affirming care,” has never performed a “gender-affirming” surgery pic.twitter.com/RdkZUlrcrJ
— Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) June 6, 2023
The court order was in response to a lawsuit filed by three parents of transgender children, who argued that a ban on prescribing cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to minors violated their children’s Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection.
This ruling allows the children to continue to receive puberty blockers.
The Food and Drug Administration had previously issued a warning that puberty blockers can cause brain swelling, vision loss, and other serious side effects in children.
“We identified six young girls aged 5 to 12 who experienced clinically serious adversities associated with the medication, such as visual disturbances, headaches, and vomiting,” said an FDA spokesperson.
Despite the risks, Judge Hinkle argued that the benefits of the treatments outweighed the risks.
“The plaintiffs’ adolescent children will suffer irreparable harm — the unwanted and irreversible onset and progression of puberty in their natal sex — if they do not promptly begin treatment with GnRH agonists,” said Hinkle.
Florida officials have yet to comment on the court’s decision, however, Governor DeSantis expressed his pride upon signing the bill into law last month.
“Florida is proud to lead the way in standing up for our children,” DeSantis said. “As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy.”
The court’s order only partially strikes down the bill, as it leaves in place other parts of the law, such as requirements to inform adults receiving hormonal therapy and gender-altering surgery of its irreversible nature and dangers, and allowing Florida courts to intervene to halt the procedures of out-of-state minors.
However, Tuesday’s ruling could still have a major impact on transgender youth in Florida and elsewhere, showing that gender identity is real, and that the safety of these patients is paramount.