Lindsey Spero, a 25-year-old trans activist, injected his weekly hormone shot in front of the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine while testifying against a ban on gender-affirming care for youth. Spero, who was forced to undergo conversion therapy as a child and was kicked out of his home at 18 due to his gender identity, stated that he decided to do his injection in front of the board after speaking with queer elders and deciding it was time decision-makers actually saw what gender-affirming care looks like. “It’s crazy how many people have never seen it before,” he said. “The medical board has quite literally heard from everyone…it seems like they are past the point of being reasoned with, so I felt like action would be a strong show of resistance.”
Spero’s emotional testimony came after months of trans people testifying to the boards about the necessity of gender-affirming care. Despite the overwhelming testimony against the ban, the boards voted to do so anyway and included a ban on trans youth participating in studies through state universities. The American Academy of Pediatrics has condemned the boards’ actions and the federal government has spoken out against the actions being taken against trans youth.
The act of injecting his hormone shot during the testimony garnered widespread attention on social media, with many applauding Spero’s bravery and determination in standing up for the trans community. As Spero said, “My medication is lifesaving… Your denial of my need for this medication doesn’t make my existence as a trans person any less real.” Trans activists and allies continue to push for greater access to gender-affirming care and an end to harmful policies that target the trans community.