The Florida Bill and it’s New Rules

Trans rights being taken away

By: Mariana Moreira

Before its newest one, the US state of Florida has passed anti-LGBTQ bills before, such as the “Don’t say gay'' bill. Their new bill, however, is directly affecting the trans community unlike the “Don’t say gay” one, which signifies that young children shouldn’t identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community until they are much older. This bill is harmful, however it still allows for the community to live their lives normally. Florida is now attacking the transgender community directly, and forcing them to be identified as someone they are not.

What does the bill entail?

Adults are not the ones being affected. The bill is directed towards minors who identify as trans and want to start their transition early. The treatments and procedures responsible for allowing youth to transition have been made illegal, and any doctor who continues to provide these is threatened to lose their licence. If the parents of the trans minor are supportive, there is a risk that the kid will be taken away from their supportive parents. This means that Florida has essentially legalised the kidnapping of trans gender minors in order to keep them in the body they were born with, instead of the one they truly identify as.

What are the repercussions of the bill passing?

A survey by “The Guardian”, add what the Guardian is here, has revealed that 50% of transgender people between the ages of 13-24 considered suicide in 2021. This is due to alarmingly high levels of anxiety and depression. A study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics states that there was a 60% decrease in depression, when transgender people received gender-affirming care, and a 73% decrease in suicidality. This means that if transgender youth cannot receive the care that is necessary to solve their gender-euphoria, suicidal thoughts and high levels of depression or anxiety will persist and continue to rise.. There may even be an increase in the suicide rate, which will affect everyone in the community, having a domino-effect.

Recently the world has seen a rise in anti-LGBTQ. Instead of moving forward in time, we seem to be moving backwards. This bill will give rise to more and more people of the LGBTQ+ community being affected negatively. If you know anyone in the community, check in on them and see how they are doing. It is important to look after them, since the government has decided to make decisions against trans rights. Working together is the only way to make a change.