A trans activist has gone viral for injecting his weekly hormone shot in front of the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine while testifying against a ban on gender-affirming care for youth.
Twenty-five-year-old Lindsey Spero told the board that for months trans people have “stood before you, put their hearts on full display, and vulnerably pleaded with you to listen to our stories and perspectives.”
“The American Academy of Pediatrics has condemned your actions and our federal government has spoken out against the actions you seek to take regarding the necessary health care for trans youth,” he continued.
“I could stand here and tell you about the times I attempted to end my life because I didn’t have access to gender-affirming care, but I know, I know you don’t care. I see you sneering at us while we come here and talk to you. Instead, I’m going to take the rest of my time to demonstrate the sacred and weekly ritual of my shot in front of you in this body. My medication is lifesaving… Your denial of my need for this medication doesn’t make my existence as a trans person any less real.”
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At that, Spero took out their needle and injected the shot into their stomach. A trans flag draped around them like a cape, they pumped their fist into the air and shouted, “Trans liberation today, tomorrow, and forever!” while many members of the crowd cheered and gave them a standing ovation.
Spero told Buzzfeed News he was forced to undergo conversion therapy as a kid and was kicked out of his home at 18 due to his gender identity. He said he decided to do his injection in front of the board after speaking with queer elders and deciding it was time decision-makers actually saw what gender-affirming care looks like.
“It’s crazy how many people have never seen it before,” he said. “The medical board has quite literally heard from everyone — from parents, youth, they’ve summoned medical professionals. It seems like they are past the point of being reasoned with, so I felt like action would be a strong show of resistance.”
In the moment, Spero said he “felt anger and this kind of holy rage that comes from knowing that you have no choice but to fight and that your fight is justified.”
“My hands stopped shaking and my voice became steady. I was able to slow down and look into each of their eyes. I could see the fear in their eyes and I could see in that moment how unsure they were of themselves.”
Despite the overwhelming testimony against banning gender-affirming care for trans youth, the boards voted to do so anyway and included a ban on trans youth participating in studies through state universities.
