Agencies in Texas have been ordered to investigate gender-affirming care as child abuse.
According to Planned Parenthood, gender-affirming care “includes any medical or mental health care that supports transgender and non-binary people’s transition process.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) penned a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, saying, “The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has now confirmed in the enclosed opinion that a number of so-called ‘sex change’ procedures constitute child abuse under existing Texas law.”
He added, “Because the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting children from abuse, I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas.”
Abbott noted Texas law “imposes reporting requirements upon all licensed professionals who have direct contact with children who may be subject to such abuse, including doctors, nurses, and teachers, and provides criminal penalties for failure to report such child abuse.”
According to state law, the agency is also required to “investigate the parents of a child who is subjected to these abusive gender-transitioning procedures.”
Additionally, other state agencies must investigate “licensed facilities where such procedures may occur.”
Abbott’s letter comes a day after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared transition care for minors child abuse.
“I’ll do everything I can to protect against those who take advantage of and harm young Texans,” Paxton said.
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reacted to the declaration.
“No parent should face the agony of a politician standing in the way of accessing life-saving care for their child,” she said.
Trans youth deserve our support and love. “Our nation’s leading pediatricians support evidence-based, gender affirming care for transgender young people. HHS stands with transgender youth and their medical providers.” – @HHS_ASH Admiral Rachel Levine.
— Reggie Greer (@ReggieGreer46) February 23, 2022
Admirable Rachel Levine, a transgender woman and assistant secretary for the department of health and human services, also reacted to the declaration.
“Our nation’s leading pediatricians support evidence-based, gender affirming care for transgender young people. HHS stands with transgender youth and their medical providers,” Levine said.
