FL Students Hold 'Inject-In' To Protest Anti-Trans Bills: Report

GAINESVILLE, FL — Demonstrators at the University of Florida participated in an "inject-in" last week to protest legislation that critics say targets LGBTQ+ people as well as access to gender-affirming healthcare in the state.

A protest was held near the University of Florida's Student Health Center on Friday, where members of the university's LGBTQ+ community and allies called for the protection of gender-affirming healthcare, The Alligator reported.

During the protest, a group of people participated in the inject-in by injecting themselves with hormone replacement therapy treatments, according to The Alligator.

The protest, organized by members of the student group UF Queer Liberation Front, was a response to the DeSantis administration’s gender-affirming care audit and legislation critics say targets the transgender community.

Two days earlier, the Florida Senate passed legislation banning gender-affirming treatment for transgender children in the state and placing restrictions on adults already receiving care.

The bill, SB 254, passed the Senate in a 27-12 vote along party lines and prohibits anyone under 18 from undergoing surgery or prescription-based hormone therapies associated with gender-affirming health care.

The legislation also forbids universities, local governments, and state health insurance plans and providers contracted with the state's Medicaid Managed Care program from using public dollars to cover treatment.

The bill now heads to the House, where it is expected to pass.

Demonstrators also gathered to protest House Bill 1421, a similar version of SB 254 presented in the House of Representatives, which empowers the state to investigate families who provide gender-affirming care for their kids, according to American Civil Liberties Union. The bill also criminalizes parents and doctors for providing gender-affirming care to minors.

Jay Ferreira, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Florida, spoke at the inject-in about the hardships he’s faced as a trans person, according to The Alligator.

“Being in a community whose anger is so shared is inexplicable,” he said. “(It) gives you some hope."