On February 18th, in the middle of early voting for the Texas primary elections, Attorney General Ken Paxton released a non-binding opinion grossly mischaracterizing medically necessary, best-practice healthcare for transgender children as child abuse. Shortly after, Governor Abbott sent a letter to the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) directing them to enforce Paxton’s opinion.
We stand with every major, credible medical association in supporting age-appropriate, best-practice standards of healthcare for transgender youth and adults. Misconstruing the law and amplifying junk science to attack innocent children and their parents is cruel, beneath contempt, and could have a devastating effect on transgender youth and their families. Read our full statement here.
What to know:
What you can do:
Remember, the Governor’s letter is non-binding. DFPS is not required to change any policies around transgender youth. Take action and send them a message now urging them to do the right thing and follow the guidance of every major medical association.
If you’re directly affected as a parent, a trans young person, or a mandatory reporter (teachers, social workers, counselors) join equality groups tonight at 6pm CST, February 23, for an overview of the situation, your rights, and how to move forward. Register here to attend.
Donate now to join the movement against this cruel abuse of power. No one should have to experience the fear of potentially losing their child just for loving them as who they are.
All children, including transgender kids deserve parents who love them unconditionally and will fight to follow evidence-based, live-saving healthcare. Remember that Equality Texas and our partner organizations around the state are fighting for you every day. If you attack one Texan, you attack all Texans.