The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on Monday stayed a lower court decision, allowing Florida to enforce laws that ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The [decision](https://glad-org-wpom.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/doe-v-ladapo-stay-order.pdf) overturns a previous ruling that had found the ban unconstitutional. Under the law, known as [SB 254](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/254) (Treatments for Sex Reassignment), hormone replacement therapy for minors is prohibited, and transgender healthcare for adults is restricted. The appellate court’s order—delivered by a 2-1 decision—permits the enforcement of SB 254 while the appeal of the June federal court ruling continues.
Judges Britt Grant and Robert Luck, both appointed by former president Donald Trump, sided with the majority, while Judge Charles Wilson dissented. Wilson argued that the decision should be left to medical professionals and patients, asserting that the stay imposes harm on the plaintiffs. Violation of the law carries significant consequences, such as children being placed in state custody and doctors facing [legal repercussions](https://eu.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2024/08/27/florida-transgender-gender-affirming-ban-restrictions-court-lawsuit/74962845007/) including imprisonment, fines, or loss of medical licenses.
This federal appellate decision reverses Judge Robert Hinkle’s June 11 ruling, which had blocked Florida from implementing the law. In reaffirming his decision last month, Judge Hinkle [argued](https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/07/12/judge-blocks-enforcement-of-fls-gender-affirming-care-ban-pending-appeal/) that the 2023 ban violated the rights of transgender individuals and their families. Florida families had filed a lawsuit in March 2023, claiming the law interfered with essential medical care and parental rights.
Currently, [39.4 percent](https://www.hrc.org/resources/attacks-on-gender-affirming-care-by-state-map) of transgender youth live in states that restrict transgender healthcare. Nationwide, there are [642 bills](https://translegislation.com/) aimed at limiting transgender healthcare, education, and legal recognition, with 79 under consideration at the federal level and 45 already passed. Organizations representing the plaintiffs have [expressed](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/in-2-1-ruling-11th-circuit-allows-florida-transgender-health-ban-to-take-effect-pending-action-on-states-appeal-of-decision-blocking-the-law) their disappointment, stating that the legal restrictions are intended to harm transgender individuals rather than serve any legitimate purpose.
Read more about this developing story on [JURIST](https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/08/us-appeals-court-allows-florida-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/).