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PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2023
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Advocates Hail Court Order blocking Florida’s Ban on
​Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

(TALLAHASSEE, FL) Today, a U.S. District Court Judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of Florida’s discriminatory ban on gender-affirming medical care for trans youth. The case – Doe v. Ladapo – was brought by Southern Legal Counsel, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Human Rights Campaign on behalf of nine families and enjoins enforcement of the ban as to the three families on whose behalf the injunction was sought.  
In issuing its decision, the court relied in large part on the trial record developed by Lambda Legal, Southern Legal Counsel, Florida Health Justice Project, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in the separate and related case Dekker v. Weida, which challenges Florida’s prohibition on Medicaid coverage for treatment of gender dysphoria for transgender Floridians, as set forth in recently enacted SB 254 and the rule promulgated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) last August. The trial in Dekker v. Weida concluded two weeks ago and a ruling is expected soon.  
The advocates from Lambda Legal, Southern Legal Counsel, Florida Health Justice Project, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP issued the following statement:
“We are gratified to see this court decision temporarily halting Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors as it pertains to the bans challenged in Doe v. Ladapo and congratulate the plaintiffs and their legal advocates on this important victory. Every transgender adolescent and adult in Florida deserve and is entitled to access the evidence-based, widely-accepted medical care that they need; this includes medical treatment for gender dysphoria. 
 
We are also gratified to see the court’s reliance on the substantive record that was developed during trial in our related case – Dekker v. Weida – challenging Florida’s ban on state funding and Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming medical care. This decision is an important first step in ensuring access to evidence-based, widely accepted gender-affirming medical care for gender dysphoria for all people in Florida. 
 
We look forward to the Court’s decision in our case Dekker v. Weida, so that transgender adolescent and adult Medicaid beneficiaries can access this essential and often lifesaving care. We will also continue to fight back along with our community partners such as the advocates in Doe v. Ladapo against Florida officials’ campaign of persecution and discrimination against LGBTQ Floridians.” 
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Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and policy work. www.lambdalegal.org   
 
Southern Legal Counsel (SLC) is a Florida statewide not-for-profit public interest law firm that is committed to the ideal of equal justice for all and the attainment of basic human and civil rights. SLC’s Transgender Rights Initiative protects the rights of Florida’s LGBTQ+ community through federal impact litigation, policy advocacy, and individual representation. www.southernlegal.org    
 
Florida Health Justice Project is a statewide Florida not-for-profit that recognizes that access to quality and affordable health care is a human right and engages in comprehensive advocacy to expand healthcare access and promote health equity for vulnerable Floridians. www.floridahealthjustice.org   
 
The National Health Law Program, founded in 1969, protects and advances health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. We advocate, educate and litigate at the federal and state levels to advance health and civil rights in the U.S. www.healthlaw.org   
 
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an international law firm with a particular focus on the technology & life sciences, energy, financial, and real estate & construction sectors. Recognized as one of the most innovative law firms by Financial Times and one of the top firms for client service by BTI Consulting, Pillsbury and its lawyers are highly regarded for their forward-thinking approach, their enthusiasm for collaborating across disciplines and their authoritative commercial awareness. www.pillsburylaw.com   
 

CONTACT:  

Samy Nemir (Lambda Legal); 
Cell: (929) 285-9623 Email: snemir@lambdalegal.org   

Nancy Kinnally (Southern Legal Counsel); 
Cell: (407) 375-2264; Email: nancy@therelatablegroup.com   

Alison Yager (Florida Health Justice Project); 
Cell: (646) 322-8111; Email: yager@floridahealthjustice.org

Andy DiAntonio (National Health Law Program); 
Cell: (703) 615-0786; Email: diantonio@healthlaw.org

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