The debate surrounding Florida’s new restrictions regarding gender-affirming services focused primarily on transgender kids. A new law signed by Republican presidential candidate and Governor. Last month, Ron DeSantis passed a law that made it more difficult for transgender people to receive treatment.
Eli and Lucas are trans men in a relationship. They followed the debates at the Legislature where Democrats argued that Trans children were more likely to commit suicide if the ban on gender affirming care was lifted for minors. Republicans responded by bringing up erroneous stories of mutilated children. Eli and Lucas, who are trans men in a relationship, followed the discussions at the Legislature. Democrats warned that trans children would be more likely to commit suicide under a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Republicans responded with misplaced tales of mutilated kids.
“There was no communication.” “Nobody was talking about it within our circle,” said Eli, 29,
He and Lucas, like many transgender Florida adults, are now faced with tough decisions, such as whether or not to move their lives in order to continue receiving gender-confirming healthcare. Clinics are trying to determine how to work under the regulations that make Florida a case study for adult restrictions.
Lucas, 26, was denied treatment after the Orlando clinic where he received hormone replacement therapy ceased to provide gender-affirming services. They are also concerned about remaining in an area where this year several bills targeted the LGBTQ community.
“My whole life is here.” “All my friends, all my family. Lucas, a student who works at a financial aid department at a university, said, “I just got a job promotion, which I probably won’t be able keep. I’m moving out and losing everything but Eli and my animals. This was not something I made lightly.
Lucas prepares his weekly testosterone shot.
Laura Bargfeld / AP
Because of fear of reprisals, the Associated Press does not use Eli’s or Lucas’ last name. Most people do not know that they are trans. Their friends and family may be aware of their gender identity, but most others who meet them don’t.
In addition to the new law banning gender affirming health care for minors, it also requires that adults seeking transgender health care sign a consent form. The law also mandates that a doctor oversee all health care relating to transitioning and that people see this doctor in person. These rules were particularly burdensome because so many people used nurse practitioners or telehealth to receive care. It was also illegal to break the new rules.
A new law that permits doctors and pharmacists not to treat transgender individuals further restricts their options.
Kate Steinle is the chief clinical officer of FOLX Health. The company provides gender affirming care for trans adults via telemedicine. The company opened in-person clinics in Florida and hired more doctors to continue providing care to those who had already enrolled.
Eli has seen a doctor for many years, and has therefore access to health care. SPEKTRUM Health Inc. in Orlando, which prescribed Lucas’ hormone replacement therapy, no longer provides gender-affirming services.
Lana Dunn is the chief operating officer at SPEKTRUM Health. She said, “There are many people who want care that we can no longer provide legally.”
According to the Williams Institute of the University of California Los Angeles School of Law, Florida has the second largest population of transgender adult in the U.S. with an estimated 94.900 people. The estimates were based on population-based state surveys. Not all transgender individuals seek medical intervention.
At least 19 state laws have been passed restricting or prohibiting gender affirming medical care. Most places haven’t discussed restrictions for adults. Missouri’s Attorney General tried to implement a rule, but was retracted.
Dunn stated that Florida was “the testing ground for what they could get away with”.
She said that her organization provides care to about 4,000 patients — the majority of whom are in Florida, but also some who live out-of-state and use telehealth. SPEKTRUM, and other organizations, heavily rely upon nurse practitioners for care.
Dunn estimates that 80 percent of trans adults who lived in the state previously received their health care through a nurse practitioner, but now no longer have access to this type of care.
Dunn stated that “right now, what we see in the community is chaos.”
She said that the law contains other language which could deter doctors from treating transgender patients. For example, a 20-year limitation period for suing over their care.
Dunn, a transwoman herself, is struggling with the loss of her own hormones and trying to support patients who are terrified. She said that it has taken a “significant emotional toll”.
Dunn explained, “Not only do I feel this lack of self-care but many people in the community also feel the same way and are reaching out to me asking for advice.” “I’m trying to guide and comfort people, but no one is really asking me, ‘How do you feel?’ “Are you OK?”
Lucas, who made the transition eight years ago at age 18, expects to run out of hormone treatment in June. He can only hope that he’ll be able get a new medication in August. He is afraid he will start getting his period again.
Lucas explained that it would be “extremely difficult” to change your body in a manner that is not aligned with your brain.
Eli and Lucas are now on a month to month lease, and plan to move to Minnesota tentatively in November. They have said that they will leave earlier if they are able to afford it. To help them, they started an online fundraising campaign. The cost and difficulty to find a new home increases when moving with their two cats and dog.
Eli: “I never imagined it would happen to us in this way and so quickly.”
