A federal district judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's recently enacted law that would have restricted access to gender-affirming healthcare for adults, ruling the statute likely violates the Equal Protection Clause.
Ruling Details
Judge Katherine Chen found that the law's categorical ban on hormone therapy for transgender adults lacked a rational basis and imposed discriminatory burdens not applied to identical medications prescribed for other purposes.
- The law would have prohibited state-licensed providers from prescribing hormone therapy for gender transition in adults
- Same medications remain legal when prescribed for menopause, hypogonadism, or other conditions
- Judge applied heightened scrutiny, citing recent circuit court rulings on transgender discrimination
What Happens Next
Florida has announced plans to appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is widely expected to reach the Supreme Court, potentially resulting in a definitive ruling on the constitutional standard for laws targeting transgender individuals.
