A Texas appeals court recently upheld a lower court’s injunction blocking the state from investigating parents who provide gender-affirming medical treatments to their transgender children, which Governor Greg Abbott has labeled as abusive. In February 2022, Abbott had directed the Department of Family Protective Services to conduct child abuse investigations into families with children receiving puberty-blocking treatments. However, a district court judge issued a statewide temporary injunction a month later, citing potential harm to children and families. The appeals court in Austin upheld this injunction in two rulings, supporting LGBTQ groups, medical professionals, and civil liberties advocates who oppose efforts to criminalize gender-affirming treatments for trans youth in many states.
The American Civil Liberties Union hailed the appeals court’s decision as a victory for trans youth and their supporters. The ACLU and Lambda Legal had challenged Abbott’s order on behalf of a 16-year-old transgender girl whose family was targeted for investigation due to her hormone therapy and puberty-delaying medications. The girl’s mother, a DFPS employee, was placed on administrative leave after inquiring about the implications of Abbott’s directive on their family. The district court judge had warned that the governor’s order could cause irreparable harm to families due to the stigma of being investigated for child abuse, as well as potential loss of livelihood.
Texas joined more than a dozen states in 2023 in restricting gender-affirming care for young transgender individuals, prohibiting certain puberty-blockers and hormone therapies. The Human Rights Campaign reports that these laws prevent transgender youth from accessing essential medical treatments to align their bodies with their gender identity. The rulings from the appeals court have temporarily halted investigations into families providing gender-affirming care in Texas, providing relief to those facing scrutiny for supporting their transgender children’s health and well-being. It is seen as a significant victory for LGBTQ rights and advocates working to protect the rights of transgender individuals.
The decision by the appeals court in Austin represents a setback for conservative politicians who have sought to criminalize or restrict gender-affirming treatments for trans youth across the country. The injunction blocking child abuse investigations related to gender-affirming care reflects a recognition of the importance of allowing transgender youth to access necessary medical treatments with the support of their families and medical professionals. LGBTQ advocacy groups, legal organizations, and medical experts have been vocal in opposing efforts to limit or criminalize gender-affirming care, emphasizing the positive impact these treatments can have on the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals.
Governor Greg Abbott and the Department of Family Protective Services have not yet commented on the appeals court’s decision to uphold the injunction against investigating families providing gender-affirming medical treatments. The legal battle over the rights of transgender youth to access necessary medical care continues to unfold in Texas and other states facing similar legislative challenges. The court rulings in favor of protecting families supporting their transgender children reflect a broader effort to safeguard the rights and well-being of LGBTQ individuals, particularly in the face of discriminatory policies and practices that seek to restrict their access to essential healthcare services.
