11 October 2023 , 13:19
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A transgender man has said they are being forced to flee Florida because of anti-LGBTQ laws.
Brave Rory Richards, from Alachua County, has said state laws mean he is now unable to be prescribed gender-affirming care. Senate Bill 254 was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year and was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
It stops transgender treatment for anyone under the age of 18, while adults like Rory, 28, have to give consent to treatment and have a physician with them. The law means it can be difficult for transgender patients to get in-person appointments because the care is prescribed by nurses.
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In September, a federal judge ruled the law can still be applied while it is being challenged in the courts. Judge Robert Hinkle, ruled that adults seeking to expand his injunction haven't proven they would be irreparably harmed until the case is resolved.
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Rory branded Florida a "human rights crisis" and called his future "terrifying." Governor DeSantis called the bill legislation designed to bring "a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy."
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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the bill "criminalises doctors for providing gender-affirming care," branding the written consent procedures in place for people like Rory "onerous." In a GoFundMe that hopes to raise $5,000, Rory said care was previously sought through PLanne Parenthood, but it is run mainly through nurse practitioners.
"[My] transgender journey started February 2022 when I received top surgery," Rory said. "In October 2022 I started taking hormones. I haven't been on them for a year and it's already being taken away from me by law.
"There are an estimated 100,000 trans people in Florida and none of whom know what rights they're going to have tomorrow. My plan is to leave to Colorado, where I have cousins and the state is one of the most LGBT-friendly.
"I work from home, so relocating isn't an issue with my job. However, the actual costs of travelling and securing a place is daunting and I don't think I can do it alone. Any little bit helps. Florida is in a human rights crisis and the future is terrifying. I can't stay here any longer..."
Controversy surrounds a number of recently passed Florida laws, part of a nationwide trend on issues like abortion and rights for LGBTQ laws. The so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law means children below the third grade - where pupils are aged from eight to nine years old - cannot be taught about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Conservatives say this is to avoid the sexualisation of children. The Don't Say Gay legislation earned Mr DeSantis the wrath of Disney, causing a public spat between the two.