Statement Condemning the Passage of Florida Senate Bill 254

The Maine Green Independent Party (MGIP) strongly condemns the passage of Florida Senate Bill 254, which bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and adults in the state of Florida. This bill is a blatant attack on the human rights and dignity of transgender people, who deserve respect and support for their identity and expression. It is also a violation of medical ethics and contradicts the scientific consensus and best practices of professional associations such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which endorse gender-affirming care as safe and effective.

We stand in solidarity with the transgender community in Florida and across the country, who are facing an unprecedented wave of discriminatory legislation that seeks to erase their existence and deny them access to essential health care. The MGIP affirms the right of every person to selfdetermination and bodily integrity, regardless of their gender identity or expression.

People across the the country are seeking care out of state because of extreme laws that criminalize health care. We call upon the state of Maine to enact a shield law that protects the recipients and providers of medical treatment against civil or criminal charges from states where health care is banned.

Sincerely,

Lyn Maravell, MGIP Co-Chair

Fred McCann, MGIP Co-Chair