In dissent, Judge Wilson wrote that the district court “identified sufficient evidence of the record to support a conclusion that the passage of this Act is based on unjust discrimination against transgender adults and minors” and that “withholding access to gender-affirming care would cause unnecessary suffering.”
The groups representing the plaintiffs in Doe v. Ladapo, including GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Southern Legal Counsel (SLC), and Lowenstein Sandler LLP, issued the following statement in response to today's ruling:
“We are deeply disappointed in this ruling and the Commission's disregard for the district court's careful judgment and adherence to recent precedent from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Reinstating these discriminatory restrictions would deny life-saving medical care to transgender adults and adolescents and prevent Florida parents from making appropriate medical decisions for their children. As the district court found based on a vast amount of evidence, the record shows that these outlandish restrictions are based on stigmatization of transgender people and serve no purpose other than to harm transgender Floridians. The plaintiffs in this lawsuit are considering their options and will take every step possible to protect their right to equal treatment under Florida law, which these restrictions flagrantly violate. We will continue to fight for transgender Floridians and their families, and for everyone's right to make medical decisions free from government interference.”
For more information on Doe v. Ladapo, please click here.
Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. (SLC) is a nonprofit, public interest law firm serving the state of Florida committed to the ideals of equal justice and fundamental human and civil rights for all. SLC's Transgender Rights Initiative protects the rights of Florida's LGBTQ+ community through federal litigation, policy advocacy and individual representation. www.southernlegal.org
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America's largest civil rights organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. www.hrc.org
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization dedicated to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained its longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and to the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. www.nclrights.org
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) works to advance a just society free of discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education. www.glad.org
