Civil Rights Groups Sue Texas Governor for Criminalizing Care for Transgender Kids

Civil rights groups have sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott for allegedly violating the constitutional rights of transgender children and their parents after trying to criminalize the treatment of adolescents with gender dysphoria.

Abbott’s letter sent to the state’s child-welfare agency directed it to investigate families for child abuse if they are suspected of seeking gender-affirming care, saying it is an illegal attempt to “legislate by press release” after state lawmakers didn’t pass such a law, a pair of civil rights groups said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Austin, Texas.

The governor “trampled on the constitutional rights of transgender children, their parents, and professionals who provide vital care to transgender children,” the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal stated in its complaint.

Abbott, who is Republican campaigning for reelection, ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to look into cases of “sex change” procedures for minors, which included surgeries and puberty-blocking drugs. He also said licensed professionals who have contact with kids, including doctors, nurses, and teachers, could face criminal penalties for “failure to report such child abuse.”

Abbott posted on Twitter on Feb. 22 that his directive would be enforced, Bloomberg reported.

“They are joining a politically-motivated misinformation campaign with no consideration of medical science,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Paul Castillo said in a statement.

The groups filed the lawsuit on behalf of three Texas residents who are using pseudonyms to conceal their identities for protection, as well Megan Mooney, who is a Houston-based clinical psychologist, Megan Mooney.

“No family should have to fear being torn apart because they are supporting their trans child,” said Adri Perez, a policy and advocacy strategist at the ACLU of Texas.

Abbott and Paxton face challengers in the upcoming state primary vote, and limiting transgender rights is a popular topic with the committed conservatives being the ones most likely to vote.