Eric Meininger, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine / Pediatrics Physician

Support from GEKCO Gender Expansive Kids and Company in this travesty of justice

Dear GEKCO families,

Tuesday, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order allowing SEA480 to go into effect. This means that gender affirming care (puberty blockers and cross hormones) is no longer available in Indiana for those under age 18. The ruling only applies to Indiana healthcare providers like doctors. It does NOT in any way restrict families from seeking such care out of state. Nor does it prevent out of state healthcare providers from providing gender affirming care to Indiana minors.

The Court has not issued an opinion explaining its ruling, but will do so soon. Until we receive that, we can’t predict whether further court proceedings can succeed in striking down the law.

This ruling is extremely disappointing and heartbreaking, but it is important to remember that we have a strong and supportive community in Indiana that will help you navigate getting the care you need for your children. Rest assured that very smart, dedicated people are working tirelessly to ensure that resources will be available to you. We will keep you informed about these efforts and be glad to assist you in navigating your way forward. Contact us at [email protected].

If you'd like to find out more about helping Hoosier families get the care they need, check out our friends at Protect Our People, who are coordinating efforts. Indiana Youth Group (IYG) , GenderNexus and other groups like PFLAG Fishers and TransParent West Lafayette, IN are also in the forefront. Reach out.

Fluffy bunny pic for bad news buffering.

Sad news for Indiana tonight.

BREAKING: The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is allowing Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth to take effect immediately.

This is absolutely devastating news for all trans kids in our state, and our hearts break for them.

As we and our clients consider our next steps, we want all the transgender youth of Indiana to know this fight is far from over and we will continue to challenge this law until it is permanently defeated and Indiana is made a safer place to raise every family.

A good news update on Indiana’s law blocking access to care for transgender youth:

Trump Judge Blocks Indiana Trans Ban Citing "Irreparable Harm" To Trans Kids A Trump-appointed judge has just blocked an Indiana law banning gender affirming care for transgender youth. The judge ruled that such a ban is likely unconstitutional and harms trans kids.

Terrific news!

I stand with Zoey.

This will have a huge impact on adolescent health care in Indiana if this passes. Come on Wednesday to Pack the Statehouse to voice opposition to this bill and tell legislators not to interfere with decisions between physicians and parents.

🚨 JUST IN: Indiana legislators have scheduled a hearing on Wednesday for a cruel bill banning life-saving gender-affirming care for transgender youth in our state.

We need Hoosiers to pack the Statehouse again to let legislators know, we will not stand by quietly while they push their Slate of Hate. ❌

SB 480 would prohibit families from providing life-saving, age-appropriate, evidence-based care for trans youth. This bill limits even standard affirming mental healthcare — and is part of a coordinated campaign to drive transgender people, particularly youth, out of public life.

⏰ SB 480 is being heard at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, so we need you at the Statehouse at 8:00 a.m. to stop this bill: https://www.facebook.com/events/584787069951603

📢 ACTION ALERT 📢

Indiana legislators are in the midst of debating HB 1608 — a harmful bill modeled after Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law banning discussions of LGBTQ people in schools. 🛑

📲 Tell your legislators NOW to oppose this bill: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/in-dont-say-gay

Gender-affirming care for trans youth improves mental health: Study A new study shows that gender affirming care for transgender youth can improve a patient's mental health.

🚨 BREAKING: Indiana lawmakers have introduced a record number of bills attacking the rights of LGBTQ Hoosiers. A number of these bills represent a coordinated, hate-driven campaign to push trans people, particularly trans youth, out of public life.

📲 Tell your lawmakers and legislative leadership to protect LGBTQ Hoosiers: action.aclu.org/send-message/in-anti-lgbtq-bills

Grieving the loss of a dear member of our community. Kelsey Kennedy made an impact on many of us, especially during her time at Trinity Haven Indy. I know I, personally, will miss her and the wonderful work she did for homeless LGBTQIA adolescents.

With immense sadness and overwhelming grief, we say farewell to a part of our family: Kelsey Kennedy, Host Homes Program Coordinator, who passed away on Wednesday.

We honor the incredible light that was Kelsey, who shined so brightly in this world. We are devastated that their light has been extinguished. May we keep it burning in our hearts forever.

Additional information may be found via Crown Hill Funeral Home or at
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/kelsey-kennedy-10957614

Shortchanging our adolescents

Opinion | How to Address the Child Therapist Shortage Ways to make the work more sustainable for new and experienced therapists.

Only 2 people in Indiana applied under the IHSAA waiver last year. The governor vetoed the law banning trans girls from participating in sports as a non-issue, yet the legislature spent days listening to testimony (most against the ban) and still overrode the veto. Whatever happened to focusing on infrastructure and improving the lives of Hoosiers through good public health measures rather than bullying kids.

The future of STI prevention?

F.D.A. Authorizes Underwear to Protect Against S.T.I.s During Oral S*x It’s the first time underwear has been authorized for this purpose, and it provides a new choice for protection where the few options have been unpopular.

Many thanks to my co-Director, Dr. Kelly Donahue and collaborator, Marissa Heinz, LSW, as well as our wonderful panel of patients and parents who helped us deliver a fantastic Pediatric Grand Rounds this morning!

Teens - get your COVID-19 vaccine NOW to be fully protected by the time you go back to school.

Get vaccinated! I did, and I support it for all my patients.

https://vitals.lifehacker.com/heres-your-covid-vaccine-rumor-roundup-1845935618

8 COVID Vaccine Myths and How to Debunk Them It’s been interesting to watch COVID vaccine rumors evolve (mutate?) in the months since the vaccines were first introduced. At first, many of the myths were based on the fact that there was a lot we didn’t know about the vaccines. But there’s a lot less room for legitimate-sounding fear-monge...

Proud to support our research on school well-being in gender diverse youth. You too, can support our work! Please consider a gift at https://go.iu.edu/3P0m

Thank you!

I Support IU and You Should Too I made a difference for Indiana University’s students, faculty, and staff. Show your support.

I am attending LGBTQ Virtual Health Care Conference See more here

Hoosiers - Stay Healthy and Get Healthy

http://www.hoosiercovidcrisis.com/

Hoosier COVID Crisis Open Letter to Hoosiers We are your friends and neighbors. We are public servants working to restore Hoosier health. We are bedside assistants, dietitians, doctors, environmental service staff, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and a host of others who work to keep our healthcare system w...

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/nyregion/nyc-lgbtq-foster-care.html?referringSource=articleShare

What Happens to Some L.G.B.T.Q. Teens When Their Parents Reject Them Over a third of young people in foster care in New York City identify as L.G.B.T.Q. and are struggling to find the support they need, according to a new survey.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/opinion/health/ventilator-shortage-coronavirus-solution.html?referringSource=articleShare

Opinion | How to Solve the Ventilator Shortage I’m one of the doctors on the front lines of the war against this virus. You can help me fight.

New data on puberty blockers like we are using at the Riley Gender Health program show they can reduce su***de attempts.

Puberty blockers can be 'life-saving' drugs for trans teens, study shows Transgender youth have a much greater risk of su***de, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but if they have access to a puberty blocker, their chances of su***de and mental health problems in the immediate term and down the road decline significantly, a new study finds.

Represent! At the Statehouse with Gender Health Program at Riley Children's Health

I don't know how many of you are aware of some of the heinous legislation being proposed in some states. This includes blockers and gender affirming hormones - with any patient under age 18 - even with the support and consent of their parents.

If you feel strongly about this, think about reaching out to friends or family in South Dakota. If you're a young person, or were able to obtain trans health as a young person, think about writing a letter to the editor of the Argus Leader, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, or the Rapid City Journal to speak out against this.

The article concludes with: "Conservative lawmakers in several states including Texas, Georgia and Kentucky have introduced bills similar to that of South Dakota’s."

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/south-dakota-bill-would-make-trans-health-care-minors-felony-n1117481

South Dakota bill would make trans health care for minors a felony Doctors could face up to 10 years in prison if they prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to a transgender person under 18.