AUSTIN, Texas – The National Center for Transgender Equality joined with other leading LGBTQ organizations in Texas today 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 today at a public hearing before Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) 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 today.
“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.
“Gov. Abbott has put a target on the backs of transgender youth and their families. He is willfully putting transgender youth and their families in danger, just to score political points,” said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director for NCTE. “We are proud to join Texas advocates and national partners in opposing this hateful action. We know that gender-affirming health care saves lives, can improve mental health, and reduce depression and anxiety. And we will not stand by and allow Texas to put members of our community at risk.”
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