Florida to ban transgender health care treatments for minors
Florida’s anti-LGBTQ law could mean the loss of access to hormone therapy
Cris Dombkowski, of Tallahassee, was denied access to the lifesaving hormone therapy he needs after being born female. As The New Civil Rights Movement reports, the young man said he was not aware of the law or its provisions, and does not plan to pursue lawsuits against the state. He is now considering moving to Colorado where the law has been struck down.
The law, SB 1523, was passed when former Miami County Judge and then-GOP candidate Charlie Crist appointed his daughter and son-in-law to the positions of Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services after Republican Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed a similar provision during the 2012 election.
Crist’s election victory in November was one of the first political successes of the Tea Party movement, which had been on the margins during his two previous governorships. While governor, Crist was also considered a possible running mate for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
After the law’s passage, Florida attorney general Pam Bondi asked the state Legislature to repeal the provision on an emergency basis, but the measure was ultimately allowed to become law with the approval of the State Senate and House of Representatives.
The state’s Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment.
Under the new law, the department will now be required to provide services including hormone therapy, which is given to those wishing to transition genders, as well as other hormone therapies, including chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants and organ transplants, which are for individuals with serious illnesses, according to the New Civil Rights Movement.
The change from a religious practice to a civil right is significant because it could set a precedent in other states where anti-LGBTQ legislation has been passed.
In addition to the loss of access to hormones, trans individuals like Cris Dombkowski will now have to pay for these services out of pocket.
“This will be a financial nightmare for me,” he told The New Civil Rights Movement. He said he has already applied for the medication and now will wait for word whether he will be approved.
