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.

  • EsheLynn@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    222·
    9 months ago

    Did you know: Puberty blockers cause ZERO harm to children, and to reverse the effects, which will allow puberty to continue its course, just stop the medicine!

    This adolescent person that is nearly the age of majority will now have to suffer anxiety, body image issues, potential suicidal and self-harm ideation, and general misery, because the a person decided that what this other person was doing for self care, and to improve their mental health, was wrong. I’m so glad these lawmakers with NO BIAS and MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE are making laws, that are obviously not for any agenda and hurting nobody in particular, because trans people like me aren’t actually real people and shouldn’t be allowed to be comfortable in their own body.

    • Wanderer@lemm.ee
      215·
      9 months ago

      Puberty blockers cause ZERO harm to children

      You can’t just make stuff up

      • yuriy@lemmy.world
        61·
        9 months ago

        Hey how about you educate yourself, since you’re rejecting lots of good faith attempts to do it for you? The science checks out, you just haven’t actually read any of it. At best you’ve had it misrepresented to you, much the way a parent would lie to a child.

        • Wanderer@lemm.ee
          14·
          9 months ago

          Anything that messes with your hormones absolutely has the chance of causing harm. Whether that is birth control, or even giving test to a guy with low levels.

          Go on then in good faith. How does it cause zero harm? Zero has been emphasised. I want to know it doesn’t cause more or less height, more or less hair growth. No pain. No anxiety. No worries. Nothing for anyone. Remember it has to be ZERO harm. Not only mild or only small harm, not occasional harm. It has to be 0. ZERO harm. Can you show me a source for that please?

          Government of the world are educated on this matter and they are changing there minds on it. I’m not an expert so I’m not the one that needs convincing they do.

        • Wanderer@lemm.ee
          13·
          9 months ago

          What have I made up?

          The only statements I have made are messing with your hormones have an impact on a person. Can’t believe that’s in dispute.

          Secondly. Countries are reducing the use of puberty blockers for teens due to worries over harm and I provided a source.