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.

  • Wanderer@lemm.ee
    218·
    11 months ago

    Puberty blockers cause ZERO harm to children

    You can’t just make stuff up

    • yuriy@lemmy.world
      61·
      11 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
        24·
        11 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.

        • yuriy@lemmy.world
          52·
          11 months ago

          Zero harm in the context of being used for folks concerned with their gender identity. If we’re considering height discrepancies to be “serious harm”, then we’re not really having a good faith discussion at all. You CLEARLY don’t need convincing, seeing as any effort spent will be wasted. You’re a brick wall asking me to walk through you.

          • Wanderer@lemm.ee
            13·
            11 months ago

            Like I said. I don’t need convincing it’s the trained experts in multiple countries having looked at the evidence are deciding to change things stop puberty blockers because of worries of harm.

      • Wanderer@lemm.ee
        13·
        11 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.