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submitted 10 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

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.

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[-] Someonelemmy@lemmynsfw.com 83 points 10 months ago

The court cases striking down these shitty laws really need to get moving. Restricting access to hormone therapy is blatantly unconstitutional, as the existing challenges that have made it through the courts have proved.

People born XXY (Klinefelter's Syndrome) can get testosterone for treatment, so to say someone who needs testosterone for similar gender affirming care cannot get it is plain discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation.

[-] Seasoned_Greetings@lemm.ee 37 points 10 months ago

I wholly agree with you. And I say this next part as an ally living in Louisiana:

I don't see the courts being able to stop this from happening. Inevitably, it will get challenged and end up at the Supreme Court, which will rule 6-3 "states rights".

Conservative justices have shown time and again that unless the constitution literally says the words "shall not infringe upon trans care for minors" they will not interpret it as such.

The only thing stopping this law in the last few years was a veto from the democratic governor, and now that that has flipped republican, the only thing that will stop it is enough people turning out to vote in 2027.

[-] Someonelemmy@lemmynsfw.com 17 points 10 months ago
[-] Seasoned_Greetings@lemm.ee 11 points 10 months ago

I hope you're right. I think the involvement of minors might change that though

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[-] badbytes@lemmy.world 27 points 10 months ago

That bible chastity belt, is becoming a noose. Good work you Christians. Very Jesus of y'all.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 26 points 10 months ago

Another proud moment for Christianity

[-] Red_October@lemmy.world 14 points 10 months ago

The fucked up part is that they literally are proud of this.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 9 points 10 months ago

Sure. Apologists will tell you that there was some pure form of Christianity that was good and it got corrupted in recent times by its alliance with the political right. History doesn't tell us that. It has always been a tool of oppression.

I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity.

-Fredrick Douglass 1845

Over a century prior to the Jerry Falwell moral majority. In1845 the Christianity presented was viewed as a temporary oddness not aligned with the real Christianity.

Heck even in the letters of Paul, decades before any Gospel accounts he talks about homosexuals going to hell and how people deserved death for not giving the church money.

It was always a shit cult that attacked the vulnerable. Always willing to punch down. "Slaves obey your masters!" It declares.

[-] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 8 points 10 months ago

Another proud moment for Christianity

And for the Republicans who pander to them

[-] synae@lemmy.sdf.org 23 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Folks, if you live in one of these places and are threatened by this: fucking leave. They threaten your life! They have intent and ability to act on those threats, and the ability to get away with it within the system you are currently living in.

Save yourself.

There are people/groups/communities in California that will help you. I can't speak for other states but I see it every day here.

Put yourself out there on social media and ask for assistance in relocating, I guarantee you will find help. It won't be glamourous and you will still have to fight for yourself, but not for the same reasons. You are accepted here. Fuck those fascists, do not give them the chance they are frothing to act upon.

[-] chilburn06@lemmy.ml 43 points 10 months ago

I keep seeing comments like these in different threads. Every one of them seem to forget all the factors that keep people stuck in red states. Housing prices are sky high, especially in blue states with prices being 5 times what housing costs here. Wages here are well below a living wage on average as well as being highly stagnant. Most of us live pay check to pay check and have no way of saving enough to relocate. My wife and I have been wanting to move since we got married but that's not likely to happen anytime soon.

[-] synae@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 10 months ago

You're absolutely right, of course. I am familiar with the comments you're speaking of, and I meant mine to be a bit more than the usual "Well just move" flippant remark. Hopefully that came across.

The unfortunate truth is exactly as you described, and for someone (and/or their family) to change their circumstances requires sacrifice of some kind. Often, very significant sacrifices.

I don't want to minimize that- Quite the opposite really. I want to reinforce the fact that for anyone who feels their lives are endangered, those sacrifices might be worth it. And importantly: they don't have to go through that experience alone.

Anyway, I hope you and your family stay safe and happy. Cheers

[-] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Christ, that sounds kinda miserable. My condolences, I hope you can figure something out. If you've got free time, try for some licensure of some kind.

[-] chilburn06@lemmy.ml 3 points 10 months ago

Thanks. Not a license per say but I am working on getting some IT certs to try to help out with our finances more.

[-] cannibalkitteh@lemmy.blahaj.zone 42 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I like the enthusiasm, but minors are not generally in a position to up and relocate. Supportive families are increasingly finding themselves needing to move out of hostile states. Most of us are holding our breath for national elections to determine if we need to flee the country.

[-] synae@lemmy.sdf.org 11 points 10 months ago

I agree with you and I don't have anything useful to add, but I wish the very best for you and your family; that you are all safe and thriving.

[-] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 4 points 10 months ago

fucking leave

Ideally vote on the way out, if you can.

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this post was submitted on 17 Jan 2024
391 points (93.3% liked)

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