ACLU sues Texas after Governor Greg Abbott’s directive on transgender children stripped them of custody

HUSTON, Texas – Tuesday morning, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has announced that the organization is suing for blocking Texas Department of Family and Welfare Services from the implementation of “new illegal and dangerous directives” by Governor Greg Abbott to investigating parents working with doctors to provide their children with medically necessary care that confirms gender.

ACLU is a non-profit organization whose goal is to “protect and preserve the individual rights and freedoms guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”

Senate Bill of 1646 is among other bills that, according to advocacy groups, threaten the rights of transgender people. The bill defines abuses under the Texas Family Code to include the introduction or consent to a child’s use of puberty suppression treatments, hormones or sex reassignment surgery.

Texas Sen. Charles Perry has insisted on the debate that the bill is needed “to prevent children from making irreversible decisions that they may regret later, but experts say both parts of the demand are questionable.”

ABC13 partners on Texas Tribune reported a recent study that found that more than 40% of transgender youth are trying to commit suicide. According to a recent study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among transgender youth are three times higher than among their cisgender counterparts.

And now those steps allow Texas families with transgender children to choose between getting medical care for their children recommended by medical experts, or possibly facing a Child Welfare investigation.

on the topic: Texas parents of trans youth concerned by Governor Ebott’s directive on gender reassignment procedures

The ACLU sent the following statement to ABC:

“Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton told trans-youth in Texas last week that they view their health care as a form of child abuse. It’s dangerous, dehumanizing and scary for trans-youth and their families. The declaration will be devastating consequences – and we already see them.

Abbott and Paxton, along with the Texas Department of Family and Welfare Services, want to research families so that they follow best medical practices and support their trans-children through life-saving and essential care. Texas political leaders do not have the legal authority to enforce this declaration and separate trans-youth from their families. But that did not stop the investigation. “

In a previous ABC13 reportactivists speak out against violence against the transgender community in Houston after a transgender woman was found murdered in her apartment.

“Transsexuals, especially black women, are more likely to be homeless and more discriminated against by the homeless system. Texas is one of the deadliest places in America for trans women, and it’s important to see,” said Courtney Sellers, CEO of Montrose Grace. Place. A non-profit organization for homeless youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Houston’s mother, who asked to remain anonymous and will be named Jane Doe, said her family joined her 8-year-old transgender daughter in 2021 in upholding transgender rights at the Texas Capitol.

“My daughter didn’t know the world was afraid of her until this year because we kind of kept her in this very safe bubble of family and supportive friends,” Doe said. “She asked, ‘Why do so many people hate me?’ This is the first time she has expressed any discomfort from who she is. “

Doe said she was one of the parents who turned to legal experts after seeing the Abbott directive. She decided not to tell her daughter about it, fearing it might increase her child’s anxiety.
“Support and love for your child is the opposite of child abuse. I’m still afraid it will set fire to crazy people and they will try to find out where she goes to school, where we live, threaten us, and try to hurt her.” , – said Dow ABC13 in a previous report.

“No one has to fight this hardship to save lives. Instead of making health care more accessible and accessible to people who need it, Texas is adding another barrier that will most seriously lead to blacks and indigenous people. families, ”ACLU said. ABC network.

on the topic: Texas parents of trans youth concerned by Governor Ebott’s directive on gender reassignment procedures

Requests for comments from Abbott’s office were not returned.

Follow ABC13 reporter Patrina Adger Facebook and Twitter.

The Texas Tribune contributed to this story.

To get LGBTQ mental health support, call the Trevor Project 24-hour toll-free support line at 866-488-7386. You can also contact a trained crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Line by calling 800-273-8255 or texting 741741

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