Author

Brooke Baitinger

Brooke Baitinger

Brooke is a Florida native and has covered the state's LGBTQ+ news and culture for three years. She studied journalism at the University of Florida. When she's not writing stories, she enjoys hanging out with her cats, riding horses or spending time outdoors.

Families suing the state for threatening medical care for their transgender children

By: - September 16, 2022

Jade Ladue spent last weekend celebrating her son’s 13th birthday with him. And despite the stereotype of his age, when children are said to turn into unruly teenagers — he’s actually thriving, she says. “He has so many hobbies. He loves sports, hanging out with friends, fishing, even going to school,” she said. But she […]

Drop in Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming medical care leaves transgender Floridians struggling

By: - August 23, 2022

Coverage ended Sunday for thousands of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, who now must figure out how to afford gender-affirming care or stop treatment cold turkey. “Approximately 9,000 transgender Floridians woke up today to find out they no longer have life-saving Medicaid coverage,” Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat from Orlando wrote on Twitter, invoking Florida […]

State medical board ignores trans pleas, bows to DeSantis push for treatment guidelines

By: - August 5, 2022

Wendy Peale showed up in Dania Beach Friday to give the Florida Board of Medicine a piece of her mind, on behalf of her nonbinary kid, Ren. She wasn’t alone. Plenty of parents showed up to support their transgender and nonbinary children. There were scores of trans and gender non-conforming youth. A transgender military veteran. […]

Showdown: LGBTQ+ rights vs. state ban on transition-related medical care for trans kids

By: - August 3, 2022

With LGBTQ+ rights in the crosshairs of conservative groups across the country, Florida is doubling down in its crusade against transgender and gender-nonconforming kids and adults. Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted his administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ efforts on Wednesday during a press conference in Brevard County. The conference was centered around a new initiative to provide treatment for […]