University of Florida Halts Gender-Affirming Care: Impacts on Students and Higher Ed

📜 Understanding Florida's Gender Care Policies

Florida has been at the forefront of debates surrounding gender-affirming care, which refers to a range of medical, psychological, and social interventions designed to support individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. These can include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), where medications like testosterone or estrogen are used to develop secondary sex characteristics aligned with one's identity; puberty blockers, medications that temporarily pause puberty to give time for exploration; and surgeries such as mastectomies or genital reconstructions. For years, access to these services varied, but recent legislative and regulatory changes have significantly restricted them.

In 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 254 (SB 254), which banned gender-affirming medical interventions for minors under 18, including puberty blockers and hormones, and imposed strict requirements for adults, such as mandating that only licensed physicians—not nurse practitioners or nurses—could prescribe or administer them. This law aimed to protect young people from what proponents called irreversible decisions, citing potential long-term health risks like infertility, bone density loss, and cardiovascular issues. Critics argued it denied evidence-based care supported by major medical organizations like the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics.

A U.S. district judge ruled SB 254 unconstitutional in June 2024, citing equal protection violations, but an appeals court stay in August 2024 reinstated the restrictions pending full review. Federally, a 2025 executive order cut funding for gender-affirming care for those under 19, prompting hospitals nationwide to pause services. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) study highlighted disproportionate risks, influencing policies further. These shifts created a challenging landscape for universities like the University of Florida (UF), where student health services once provided such care.

The policies reflect broader cultural and scientific debates. Proponents of restrictions reference reviews like the UK's Cass Review (2024), which found weak evidence for benefits in youth and recommended caution due to poor study quality and high detransition rates in some cohorts—up to 30% in long-term follow-ups, though overall regret remains low at under 1% per recent meta-analyses. Supporters of care point to studies showing improved mental health outcomes, such as reduced depression and suicidality in transgender youth receiving HRT.

🏥 The University of Florida Student Health Care Center Decision

On January 14, 2026, UF's Student Health Care Center (SHCC), located at 2140 Stadium Road on the main Gainesville campus, notified approximately 100 affected students via the MyUFHealth patient portal that it would discontinue therapeutic gender-affirming care effective May 1, 2026. The announcement read: “We understand this may be difficult news, and we want to make sure you have clear information and support during this time.” SHCC committed to assisting with medical record transfers and urged prompt transitions to community providers.

This move affects primarily college students, many over 18, who previously accessed convenient, campus-based services. SHCC, serving over 50,000 UF students annually, offered these treatments as part of its comprehensive care, initiated around 2018 under pediatrician Dr. Ann Grooms to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ students. No new prescriptions will be issued post-May 1, but current patients can continue until then.

Broader UF Health data from 2018-2022 reveals significant prior usage: 1,900+ patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria across Gainesville and Jacksonville facilities, 712 on HRT, 90 on puberty blockers, and 41 undergoing surgeries, with over two-thirds aged 18+. SHCC's decision aligns with state mandates limiting providers and federal funding cuts, ensuring compliance amid ongoing litigation.

💬 Student Reactions and Campus Impact

News of the halt elicited mixed responses on campus. Daniel Hogan, a 21-year-old UF junior and transgender man, expressed shock but inevitability: “I felt it was coming.” He plans to continue HRT at SHCC until May. An anonymous transgender student felt “blindsided,” criticizing the “automated” communication and lack of resources: “I love being a Gator... This makes me feel less proud of my school.”

Abbie Aldridge, a mental health counselor, noted increased client strain: “We weren’t able to work on genuine therapy goals... focusing more on accessing basic care.” Alexis Williams of the Queer Trans Project warned of “serious consequences,” arguing flagship universities shouldn’t outsource student health to “Google searching and GoFundMe pages.”

On the other side, critics like Brian Camenker of MassResistance hailed it as “refreshingly sane,” advocating mental health treatment over “medical quackery.” Social media on X (formerly Twitter) buzzed with trending posts: support for protecting students from regret, contrasted by concerns over access barriers driving families out-of-state.

UF remains supportive of LGBTQ+ students through counseling, pride events, and groups like the Presidential LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, but medical care shifts off-campus, potentially straining low-income or rural students.

📊 Broader Implications for Florida Higher Education

UF's decision ripples across Florida's public universities. On February 12, 2026—the same day as SHCC notifications—State University System Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine sent a scathing letter to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), accreditor for eight Florida med schools including UF and Florida International University. Demanding justification for GAC standards, Levine cited the HHS study and questioned if “ideology” taints curricula: “Are they graduating students capable of being physicians?”

This follows Governor DeSantis's 2023 request for trans student care records at 12 universities, with six complying. Six of 12 institutions surrendered data, sparking privacy fears. Florida's moves challenge “woke accreditation cartels,” potentially creating independent accreditors to preserve federal funding access.

Nationally, red-state universities face similar pressures; Yale and Oklahoma recently curtailed youth services. A 2023 survey showed transgender college students fleeing Florida due to unwelcoming laws, impacting enrollment diversity. For higher ed professionals, this underscores navigating policy in higher ed jobs, where compliance affects operations.

🔬 Medical Evidence and Perspectives

Debates hinge on evidence. Affirmative studies, like a 2022 JAMA Pediatrics analysis, link GAC to 60% lower depression odds and reduced suicidality over 12 months in trans youth. Stanford research (2022) found teens starting HRT had fewer suicidal thoughts than adults. Regret rates hover below 1%, lower than knee surgery (20%).

However, the Cass Review criticized low-quality studies, noting insufficient long-term data and 10-30% desistance rates pre-puberty. Recent detransition surveys (2025) report 42% retransitioning post-barriers, but external pressures like bans factor in 6%. Risks include infertility and cancer elevation, per HHS.

For young adults (18-24), common at universities, outcomes mirror youth: satisfaction high, but rapid-onset gender dysphoria raises comorbidity concerns (autism, trauma). Balanced care emphasizes therapy first, informed consent.

🛤️ Alternatives and Support for Students

• Community clinics: Planned Parenthood or independent endocrinologists; SHCC aids transfers.
• Telehealth: Out-of-state providers via platforms, though Florida restricts imports.
• Mental health: UF Counseling & Wellness Center offers free sessions; national hotlines like The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386).
• Advocacy: Student Senate resolutions push affordability; off-campus resources listed in UF Libraries' LGBTQ+ guides.
• Legal aid: ACLU Florida challenges restrictions.

Actionable steps: Document care history, explore insurance (note Medicaid bans), connect with peers via UF Pride Center. For faculty/staff, training on cultural humility aids support.

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

🔮 Looking Ahead: Policy, Careers, and University Life

Ongoing lawsuits and 2026 bills like SB 1010 (penalizing 'aiding/abetting' GAC for minors) signal tighter rules. Supreme Court precedents uphold state bans, but accreditation battles could reshape med ed. UF prioritizes compliance while fostering inclusivity.

For those eyeing university jobs in Florida, understanding these dynamics is key—roles in administration, counseling, or faculty demand policy savvy. Higher ed career advice from AcademicJobs.com helps navigate. Share experiences on Rate My Professor or explore faculty positions. Post in comments below—your voice shapes campus discourse. Amid changes, Florida higher ed remains vibrant; check higher ed jobs for opportunities.