Protest for Trans Healthcare

The Florida Board of Medicine will meet on August 5th in Ft. Lauderdale to discuss Surgeon General Ladapo's request for the Board to adopt a "standard of care" on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. It's unclear whether the Board will consider and take action on any specific language at this time. Nevertheless, this is an important moment for our community to show up to the public meeting and push back against this effort that could be a template for terrible policy in states across the country.

Surgeon General Ladapo requested a standard of care consistent with the thoroughly debunked report that his Department of Health released opposing gender-affirming care for minors. If enacted, this would be the most sweeping and extreme attack on gender-affirming care we've seen. It even opposes social transition– effectively positioning the state to decide what haircuts and clothing kids can have. A standard of care could be enforced by stripping licensure from healthcare providers who provide care.

PRISM will be working with several organizations to stage a rally outside of the meeting at 8 AM. We are requesting that participants arrive at 7:30 AM. We will also be coordinating a presence in the hearing itself and at a press conference hosted by Equality Florida.

For those looking for transportation from Miami:

SAVE LGBT is helping coordinate a bus from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. They will meet just outside of RHouse in Wynwood at 6:30 AM (bus departs at 6:45 AM). The bus will arrive in Fort Lauderdale around 7:30 AM, by which time our Fort Lauderdale volunteers will already be there. The bus will depart from Fort Lauderdale at 10 AM to return to Miami.

The bus will have signs, sunscreen, and water, but participants are encouraged to bring their own as supplies are limited. The tickets are first come, first serve, and there are only 54 seats, so please sign up ASAP with the following link if you're looking to take the bus: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-fl-department-of-health-board-of-medicine-tickets-390645530297

Because there is limited space, please only utilize this bus if you cannot find alternative transportation from Miami.

For more information about this event, please contact Maxx Fenning (maxxfenning@prismfl.org or on Discord).