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.

  • @[email protected]English
    18•11 months ago

    Because they kill themselves. That’s why we give gender affirming care - because at best it just really can mess them up not to have it. And they were killing themselves. A lot.

    So we came up with a protocol to do reversible puberty blockers for 4-6 years while they and their parents work with an endocrinologist and therapist to make sure this is the right call.

    Only at 16 or 17 they then get the option for hormone therapy, and if they’ve been on puberty blockers then they either grow (or don’t grow) boobs naturally.

    And unless they think there’s a high risk of suicide or self-mutilation otherwise (and there’s a process and a panel that needs to approve this) they can’t get bottom surgery until they’re at least 18 - assuming they even want it

    We also do allow elective plastic surgery with parental and doctor approval - breast reduction or implants for example - at the age they’re eligible for hormone therapy.

    Also, we give gender affirming plastic surgery to cis male teens and preteens who have manboobs, I think it can even be covered by insurance. It’s not unnatural or necessary unless they have a high risk for breast cancer, it’s purely because it makes them insecure

      • @[email protected]English
        4•11 months ago

        LMAO, you think most people agree with you?

        Most people don’t actually care much either way because they don’t know any trans people. They just parrot things that sound good without putting any thought into it

        Let’s put in a little thought.

        Why would trans people have a dedicated dating app if no one was interested? It would just be one of the million other failed dating apps no one has ever heard of. Why do they have prominent categories on many porn sites? Why do they do so well on only fans?

        They’re less than 0.5% of the population… If they’re that overrepresented then clearly, there’s a demand

        But I think we’re getting into the source of this… Trans girls make your dick confused, and you’re not secure enough in your sexuality to confront what that means