Transgender

An NPR analysis finds that over the past two years, state lawmakers introduced more than 300 bills targeting trans people. Most of this legislation, 86%, takes aim at the rights of trans youth.

Activists are campaigning against clinics that offer care for transgender teenagers. Some families worry that will only fuel efforts to ban gender-affirming care in their state.

The exhibit at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa is called "Transformations: A Gender Exploration by Mariette Pathy Allen" with selections from" Transformations: Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them" and her "Fantasy & Flowers" series.

Trans patients say social support and hormone treatments are improving their overall well-being. And contrary to what some state officials claim, doctors insist they are not performing surgeries on young kids.

If the bill were to become law, it could affect not only schools but also programs, events and literature at any federally funded institution. But its prospects are dim for now.

Some characterized it as a way to provide transparency and others say it is potentially harmful to LGBTQ students.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration rule prevents reimbursements to medical providers for such treatments as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Warren in August, accusing him of “incompetence and willful defiance of his duties.”

Medicaid beneficiaries receiving gender-affirming care are now responsible for paying the costs. The four plantiffs, including two children, say the treatments are “medically necessary, safe and effective.”

A ruling was not released following Monday's hearing, but a federal judge in Tallahassee appears to be leaning towards a trial as opposed to immediately reinstating Warren like he wants.

The codes used by U.S. medical providers to bill insurers haven’t caught up to the needs of trans patients or even international standards. Consequently, doctors are forced to get creative with what codes they use, or patients spend hours fighting big out-of-pocket bills.

A judge will hear arguments Monday on whether Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren should be reinstated following his suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis.