Thread by @carl_s_charles

The public hearing for Florida’s proposed rule banning coverage of gender affirming medical care is starting in 30 minutes and it is PACKED with our opponents, many of whom are handing out us flags. This is going to be interesting/potentially scary.

https://twitter.com/carl_s_charles/status/1542962741853536257

Many of the people sitting around me are holding a “AHCA Medicaid Talking Points” paper and wearing shirts that say “Moms For Liberty” and wearing stickers that say “Let Kids Be Kids.”

I was just told that comments are going to be limited to 2 minutes.

There is a panel of people sitting at the front of the room who have name tags, not all of which I can read. Notably, one that I can read is for “Dr. Quentin Van Meter,” one of the discredited doctors who is being used to support this Proposed Rule.

The hearing has started. The agency staff were introduced and there are attorneys from an outside law firm as of counsel. Dr. Van Meter, Dr. Van Mol, Dr. Jason Weilds (sp?) and one other are described as being “a panel of experts to answer substantive questions about the rule.”

An agency employee is reading through the procedural history that got us here.

The first two speakers are young people, name redacted, who identify as detrans. Neither of them said they had Medicaid coverage.There are great trans researchers who care about detrans people and reject the way that these people’s stories are being used to oppose trans rights.

Next a parent who says their trans son accessed gender affirming care through Medicaid in an unknown state (presumably because she did not support him) and her only objection seems to be that she has a trans son.

Next a speaker for “Partners for Ethical Care” parroting a ton of anti-trans talking points. Their website says “we believe no child is born in the wrong body.”

Worth noting that the room is erupting in applause after every speaker, despite being asked not to clap.

FINALLY an FSU student, Sabrina Hartsfield, who is against the proposed rule is speaking and rocking it despite people trying to shout her down. #protecttranshealth #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Next from @SouthernLegal our partner Simone Chriss spoke compellingly about how this proposed rule will harm the most marginalized people in Florida, who already experience increased rates of harm and discrimination.

Y’all we are getting reports that the order of speakers (and how many for/against) would be able to speak was set a lot time ago. The trash that is being spewed at this hearing is so unbelievable that I’m not going to keep tweeting about it. Someone reading Bible verses now, smh.