Large Coalition Submits Letter Opposing Texas Order Classifying Transgender Youth Health Care as Child Abuse

AUSTIN, Texas – As part of the public hearing in Texas by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) concerning Gov. Greg Abbott’s likely illegal order classifying transgender health care for youth as child abuse, the National Center for Transgender Equality submitted a letter in opposition signed by 79 interfaith leaders, interfaith organizations, Texas organizations and national partners.

In the letter, the signers urged DFPS to reject Abbott’s “directive and listen to medical and scientific experts and most importantly – listen to transgender youths and supportive adults when they say that this directive goes against Texan youths' wellbeing and the entire high-quality, patient-centered, and trauma-informed care services delivery.”

Additionally, the National Center for Transgender Equality joined with other leading LGBTQ organizations in Texas Friday to oppose efforts by Gov. Greg Abbott to classify appropriate, science-based health care for transgender young people as child abuse.

Alexis Rangel, policy counsel for NCTE, testified March 11 at a public hearing before Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and joined other advocates at a morning press conference before coalition lawyers from the ACLU and Lambda Legal appeared in court seeking a temporary injunction to halt the governor’s cruel, illegal and unconstitutional order.

“I am asking you to listen to the voices of transgender people, who will overwhelmingly tell you that age-appropriate gender-affirming care is lifesaving. Listen to the voices of medical associations who overwhelmingly recognize that age-appropriate gender-affirming care is lifesaving. Listen to the voices of loving parents and guardians who are terrified of being here today because they are listening to their children and to medical experts, rather than politicians, when determining what is best for their child,” Rangel testified.

“These parents should be applauded, not investigated and threatened with having their children taken away.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Endocrine Society and the Pediatric Endocrine Society have all issued statements opposing Abbott’s actions.

A new national poll found that a strong majority of Americans (63%) oppose government bans on appropriate health care for transgender youths. In the results, released March 9 by Data for Progress, only 27% of respondents of a total of 1,162 individuals supported bans.

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