Federal Judge Rules Florida's Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Unconstitutional on June 11, 2024

Jun 11, 2024, 09:04 PM

A federal judge has ruled on June 11, 2024, that Florida's ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors and several restrictions on similar care for adults are unconstitutional. The decision, issued by Judge Robert Hinkle, strikes down a 2023 law that was a significant priority for Governor Ron DeSantis. The ruling specifically addresses the prohibition of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors, as well as restrictions on nurse practitioners prescribing cross-sex hormones to transgender adults. Judge Hinkle emphasized that the ban was rooted in anti-trans animus and that opponents of transgender rights are not free to discriminate against individuals for being transgender. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Eleventh Circuit, which has previously allowed a similar ban in Alabama to go into effect during litigation.