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.

    • @yuriy
      3•11 months ago

      Why are we letting them delude themselves further?

      Why would this ever be any of your business?

      I don’t like the way you drive your car, I’ve decided it’s unhealthy and morally wrong. A bunch of people are all arguing that you should have your license revoked because of it. Seems kinda fucked up, right?

      You could get real driving experts, with real bona fides, to present facts saying the way you drive your car is no different from anyone else (as it relates to health and safety). But because I feel like I deserve to be the moral authority on the matter, me and my crowd are going to continue dehumanizing you at every opportunity, and will ruthlessly demand that you lose your driving privileges.

      You want the same thing, but for bodily autonomy. For no reason other than you think you know better than everyone.

        • Bibliotectress
          7•11 months ago

          Stop being the language police, and people will leave you alone.

          That might literally be the dumbest thing I’ve ever I heard.

          “iF yOu DiDn’T cAlL uS oUt FoR bEiNg TwAtS, wE’d ToTaLlY mInD oUr BuSiNeSs”

          That doesn’t even make sense. If you hear about using the wrong pronouns, it’s probably someone you know asking you not to misgender them. If you’re hearing about it more than that, it’s probably because of whichever talking head you’re listening to that’s trying to make you mad.

            • @trashgirlfriend
              2•11 months ago

              Latinx. People who menstruate. Those with penises.

              A bunch of niche terms used by like a dozen people, one of which being pretty much used by like weird liberals with MBAs and the other two just being specific about anatomy and ignoring gender

              HOLY SHIT BROTHER YOU ARE SO OPPRESSED

              Literally no one is stopping you from saying man or woman, you god damn manbaby