Texas governor’s directive to investigate parents of transgender kids temporarily obstructed
Texas Governor Greg Abbott gave a directive Feb. 22 that would classify a parent’s provision of gender-reaffirming medical care to their kid as child abuse. Wiki Commons
The name of one Dallas, Texas resident was changed to “Alex,” as he wishes to remain anonymous for fear of physical and verbal retaliation against his sexuality.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott gave a directive Feb. 22 for investigations to be made into parents who are allowing their transgender kids to receive gender-reaffirming medical care. Under this legislation, the state would classify a guardian’s provision of services like hormone therapy and surgery as child abuse.
The Texas court of appeals has chosen to uphold Texas Judge Amy Clark Meachum’s blocking of the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services from investigating the parents of a teenage daughter who was undergoing gender-affirming care. Though this was a temporary win, activists remain concerned for the future of transgender children in Texas.
Samuel Hatton, the chairman of the Board of Directors at Abilene Pride Alliance, told The Panther he believes Abbott’s directive is in direct contradiction with his previous advocacy for the notion that parents “have a God-given right to make decisions for their children.”
“To be blunt, he's disingenuous,” Hatton said. “He is part of a political movement that values power over anything else.”
Hatton and other activists are particularly concerned that denying transgender children gender-reaffirming healthcare could have a disastrous effect on their mental health. The Trevor Projects 2020 Survey found that 40% of transgender children say they have considered suicide.
In 2021 alone, thirty-three states introduced over one-hundred bills that targeted the transgender communtiy. Arkansas became the first state to fully ban gendering-affirming care for transgender youths. The ACLU said this sent a " a terrible and heartbreaking message" to the trans youth all over the country.
Travis County, Texas Judge Andy Brown promised his support to the transgender community in a March 1 proclamation and reaffirmed his committment to stopping hatred toward these individuals and their families. Brown and Austin Mayor, Steve Adler, have also declared March 10 to be known as “Transgender Youth and Safety day.”
“Austin and Travis County are going to continue to be places where peoples’ rights are respected and parents’ rights are respected,” Brown told The Panther.
Brown also brought up that Abbott and the Attorney General do not have the authority to pass laws; that power lies with the Texas House of Representatives. During the last legislative session, some representatives tried to pass a law that would have banned gender-reaffirming care for trans youth, but the bill failed to pass.
Alex, a Dallas, Texas native who is a transgender man, told The Panther he feels there is a misconception that it is “easy” for transgender children to be diagnosed and receive treatment.
“I asked if I was transgender, because I was expecting it to be diagnosed; that's not what happened,” Alex said. “My therapist told me that they couldn't just tell me whether (or not) I was trans, because it had to be something I was certain of.”
Making gendering-affirming care less accessible to trans youth appears to be a growing trend all over the country. Lawmakers in Idaho voted in favor of a bill March 9. that would make it a felony to provide gender-affirming care.
On March 11, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will hear public comments. The organization, Texas Rising, is asking transgender Texans and their families to send them their testimonies — even anonymously.