A new law banning gender-affirming care for minors in Louisiana took effect at the start of the year. Since the legislation was passed last summer, parents have been scrambling for help.

For the last two years, Koen has routinely self-administered weekly testosterone injections without a second thought.

During that time, the trans 17-year-old said his self-image and school and family life has drastically improved. His fear of needles, too, has faded.

“[Transitioning] made me look forward to things more because now I can start paying attention to the better version of myself,” said Koen, who asked to be identified by his first name because of fears for his safety. “It’s something I feel like I’ve needed for a while. I’m able to express myself more fluidly and feel comfortable doing that, which I think is a very big step for me right now.”

At the start of the year, though, a greater worry emerged.

A new law banning gender-affirming care for minors in Louisiana took effect on Jan. 1 prohibiting puberty blockers, hormone treatment, and gender-reaffirming surgery. Now, Koen isn’t sure he could continue his hormone treatment.

Louisiana is one of 22 other states that have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for minors, disrupting health care needs for trans and nonbinary people.

    • thoughtorgan@lemmy.world
      28·
      8 months ago

      No, just trying to have a conversation.

      You guys get to share your opinions and thoughts, even though you aren’t doctors.

      • NιƙƙιDιɱҽʂ@lemmy.world
        61·
        8 months ago

        You’re claiming something is flat out not medically necessary when you clearly do not have the knowledge to make that call. Your opinions cost people their lives.

        • thoughtorgan@lemmy.world
          17·
          8 months ago

          My opinions cost nobody their life?

          I said it’s not medically necessary because there’s not a physical imbalance that needs to be fixed, like the syndrome the person I was responding to used as a comparison.

          A person with gender dysphoria will not have physical problems, like the people with the syndrome mentioned would.

          That’s all I was getting at. Whether you consider medically necessary to include their distress over a mental disorder, was something I wasn’t touching on.

          My only opinion that’s really relevant is that I don’t think minors should be allowed to transition. At no point did I say trans folk should be harmed or berated in the street or whatever else I’m being accused of.