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Texas guv Greg Abbott slammed for calling transition care for trans youth 'child abuse'

Doctors, nurses, teachers, and members of the public will have to report instances referred to  as 'so-called sex-change procedures' by the governor

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed “licensed professionals” and “members of the general public” to investigate gender-affirming care for transgender minors as “child abuse". Abbott sent a letter to the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services, defining gender-affirming treatments for transgender children as “abusive procedures". The procedures include gender-reassignment surgery and puberty-blocking medications.

A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services stated that it “will follow Texas law as explained”. Doctors, nurses, teachers, and members of the public will now have to report instances that have been referred to as “so-called ‘sex change’ procedures" by the governor. 

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Following Abbott's letter, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released an opinion that says allowing minors to transition care including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery is considered child abuse under state law. “There is no doubt that these procedures are ‘abuse’ under Texas law, and thus must be halted,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has a responsibility to act accordingly. I’ll do everything I can to protect against those who take advantage of and harm young Texans.”

It has been argued that gender-affirming care is “experimental" and minors are not old enough to consent to it. Advocates have stated that gender-affirming care is medically unnecessary, a claim they say is backed by major medical organizations such as American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association. 

On the other hand, Adri Pèrez, policy and advocacy strategist for LGBTQ equality at the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas believes that the opinion released by Paxton is politically motivated as it was released just ahead of the state’s March 1 Republican primary election. Perez, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, said, "Ken Paxton’s thoughts on this, no matter what they are, do not affect how a court would or should analyze these issues." "And as of today, there’s no court in Texas or the entire country that has ever found that gender-affirming care can constitute child abuse," they added.

'Imagine being a closeted, scared trans child'

Greg Abbott has been widely criticized by social media users. "F**k Greg Abbott. And f**k every single adult obsessively fixating on hurting trans youth instead of offering love, support, and respect. You are monsters. Every single one of you. Fuck off already you dinosaurs," one user wrote. "There’s a lot I wanna say here, but Greg Abbott basically just told closeted trans children that if they come out, his state government is going to take them away from their affirming parents. Imagine being a closeted, scared trans child with that responsibility on your heart," wrote another.

While one user commented, "This is horrifying, cruel and yet another transphobic piece of legislation that threatens the lives of Trans people and Trans children. We must #ProtectTransKids", another said, "This directive will kill kids and @GregAbbott_TX is a monster. And make no mistake: the people on the so-called "liberal left" who have taken up the "cause" of banning trans kids playing sports have helped pave the way for this barbarism. This also hangs on their heads." "gender affirming healthcare saved my life i was on the brink of suicide before i started hormones at 16 now im finally at peace with my body & can exist as the girl i always was greg abbott is denying trans kids this peace, he wants them to die & their blood will be on his hands," one user stated.