A new lawsuit filed by four families, some of them from Duval and St. Johns counties, alleges that new state rules banning gender-affirming care for minors are discriminatory and “violate the rights of parents to make medical decisions to ensure the health and wellbeing of their adolescent children.”
Attorneys from several LGBTQ-advocacy groups filed the lawsuit on behalf of the parents, who are using pseudonyms to protect their children’s privacy. The named defendants in the lawsuit are Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and the 12 members of the state medical boards.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration filed a petition last summer asking the medical boards to adopt the rules, arguing that gender-affirming care is experimental and not supported by research. However, many doctors, mental health specialists and medical groups say treatments for transgender youth are safe and beneficial, even though long-term research is lacking at the moment. Federal health officials have even said gender-affirming care is crucial to the health and well-being of transgender children and adolescents.
Guests:
- Dara Kam, reporter with the News Service of Florida.
- Jane Doe (asked to remain anonymous), the parent of a transgender child affected by the new rules.
- Simone Chriss, the plaintiffs’ lawyer and the director of the Transgender Rights Initiative at the Southern Legal Counsel.
The story of Ida B. Wells
The new book “Indigo and Ida” is a powerful story of friendship, identity and truth. Debut author Heather Murphy Capps connects past and present as a contemporary middle schooler discovers the important and oft-overlooked Black historical figure Ida B. Wells.
The book is getting rave reviews nationwide, but some are worried it could be pulled from Florida school libraries due to its themes.
Guest: Heather Murphy Capps, author and former Jacksonville TV reporter.
Six artists selected to create public art for new Jaguars facility
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected six artists to create public art for the Miller Electric Center, the future home of the team’s football operations.
Guest: Diana Donovan, executive director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
What’s going on around town this weekend?
Cre8Jax has released its curated list of the hottest places to be around town this week and next.
Guest: Catalina Selvagn, local multimedia personality.
