Investigate Gender Transition Procedures as ‘Child Abuse’

Feb. 23, 2022

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state companies to analyze stories of gender-transition procedures on youngsters as baby abuse, which may consequence within the legal prosecution of lecturers, medical doctors, and oldsters of trans youngsters who don’t report the procedures.

Abbott despatched a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services directing it “to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas.” The letter was copied to a number of different state companies.

The letter stated outlawed “sex change” therapies embody reassignment surgical procedures, removing of physique elements, and the administration of puberty-blocking medication or supraphysiologic doses of testosterone or estrogen. Supraphysiologic means bigger than would seem naturally.

The letter says “all licensed professionals who have direct contact with children” may face legal prosecution in the event that they don’t report cases of gender performing procedures, together with medical doctors, nurses, and lecturers. Parents of youngsters who endure the procedures may very well be investigated, in addition to amenities the place procedures are carried out.

Abbott stated he was performing in response to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s current opinion that “a number of so-called ‘sex change’ procedures constitute child abuse under existing Texas law.” The Dallas Morning News stated the legal professional normal’s opinions don’t have the power of legislation however company heads are anticipated to comply with them.

It’s unclear what quick impact Paxton’s opinion or Abbott’s letter could have. The Dallas Morning News stated state companies haven’t responded and a few prosecutors say they received’t comply with the directive of the letter.

“My office will not participate in these bad faith political games,” Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee stated in an announcement, in accordance with The Dallas Morning News. “As the lawyers handling these cases, we owe a duty of candor to the courts about what the law really says. We’ll continue to follow the laws on the books — not General Paxton’s politically motivated and legally incorrect ‘opinion.’”

A spokesperson with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services stated the company will examine stories of abuse however doesn’t count on to alter present insurance policies due to Paxton’s opinion.

“We will follow Texas law as explained [by Paxton’s opinion],” spokesperson Patrick Crimmins stated. “At this time, there are no pending investigations of child abuse involving the procedures described in that opinion.”

The letter was copied to the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Education Agency, and different state authorities departments.

A report from the Williams Institute on the UCLA School of Law stated about 14,000 Texans between 13 and 17 self-identified as transgender in 2017. The report stated about 125,000 folks in Texas self-identified as transgender at the moment.