As a counter to legislation passed in many states, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday, June 6 to expand healthcare services for transgender people and to establish for the first time a LGBTQ+ Commission to advise the board on related policies and programs.
The effort will enhance the county’s gender-affirming medical care and mental health services already offered to transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex residents and will include hormone therapy and puberty suppression medications, as well as surgical options, according to Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
It also includes providing PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a daily pill or injection for sexually active adults that reduces risk of HIV to nearly zero.
Before adopting two motions by 5-0 votes, the supervisors said they disagreed with limiting transgender care to treat gender dysphoria. At least 17 states have enacted laws banning or restricting such medical procedures for minors, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho and Texas.
The supervisors’ approvals of dual motions affirming queer and transgender healthcare puts the county in line with the state of California, but in opposition to a growing number of states mostly in the South and Midwest.
First District Supervisor Hilda Solis said the actions are a way to reject such restrictions and make a statement. She said there have been more than 500 “anti-LGBTQ+ bills” considered by other states, many of them adopted into law, and some that censor books, outlaw public drag shows, ban curricula and criminalize doctors who perform gender-affirming treatments.
About 800 transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex people have received care in Los Angeles County facilities, and with more coordination across county departments as required, that number is expected to grow, the county reported.
“Here in Los Angeles County we should not stand for any of that,” Solis said. “We stand with…
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