ACLU files lawsuit on Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive towards transgender children renders them from care

HOUSTON, Texas – On Tuesday morning, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that the agency is suing to block Texas Department of Family and Protection Services from the implementation of “illegal and dangerous new directives” by Governor Greg Abbott to investigate parents who work with doctors to provide their children with medically necessary sex-confirmed care.

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

Senate Bill 1646 are among other bills that defense groups say threaten Texans’ trans rights. The bill defines abuse under the Texas Family Code to include the granting or consent of a child to use adolescent suppression therapy, hormones, or sex reassignment surgery.

Texas Sen. Charles Perry insisted in a debate that the bill is necessary to “prevent children from making irreversible decisions that they may later regret, but experts say both parts of that claim are questionable “.

ABC13 partners at Texas Tribune reported a recent study, which found that more than 40% of trans young people attempt suicide. According to recent studies by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide attempt rate among transgender youth is three times higher than among their racial counterparts.

And the moves now leave Texas families with trans children to choose between providing health care for their children as recommended by specialist doctors or possibly facing a child protection service survey.

RELATED: Texas Transgender Parents Concerned About Governor Abbott’s Gender Confirmation Directive

The ACLU sent the following statement to ABC:

“Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton told trans teenagers in Texas last week that they considered their health care to be a form of child abuse. It is dangerous, inhumane and frightening for trans young people and their supportive families. it will have catastrophic consequences – and we are already seeing them.

Abbott and Paxton, along with the Texas Department of Family and Protection Services, want to investigate families simply because they follow medical best practice and support their trans children through life-saving, medically necessary health care. Texas political leaders have no legal authority to enforce this statement and separate trans young people from their families. “But that did not stop the investigations from starting.”

In a previous report by ABC13Activists speak openly about violence against the transgender community in Houston after a trans woman was found murdered in her apartment.

“Trans women, especially black women, are more likely to experience homelessness and discrimination from the homeless system. Texas is one of the deadliest places in America for trans women, and that’s important to see.” said Courtney. Sellers, the executive director of Montrose Grace Place. A non-profit organization for homeless young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

A mother from Houston, who requested anonymity and will be referred to as Jane Doe, said her family reunited with their 8-year-old trans daughter in 2021 to defend trans rights in the Texas Capitol.

“My daughter did not know that people were afraid of her until this year because we kept her in this very safe bubble of family and friends who support her,” Doe said. “He asked, ‘Why do so many people hate me?’ It is the first time he has expressed any discomfort with what he is “.

Doe said she was one of the parents who contacted legal experts for reassurance after seeing Abbott’s instruction. She chose not to tell her daughter, fearing she might increase her child’s anxiety.
“Supporting and loving your child is the opposite of child abuse. My other fear is that this will ignite the crazy and they will try to find out where school is going, where we live, they are threatening us. And try to hurt her.” Doe told ABC13 in a previous report.

“No one should fight hard for life-saving care. Instead of making medical care more accessible and accessible to people in need, Texas adds another barrier that will land harder on black and Indigenous families,” the ACLU said. on the ABC Network.

RELATED: Texas Transgender Parents Concerned About Governor Abbott’s Gender Confirmation Directive

Requests for comments from Abbott’s office have not been returned.

Follow ABC13 reporter Patrina Adger Facebook and Twitter.

The Texas Tribune contributed to this story.

For LGBTQ mental health support, call The Trevor Project 24/7 toll-free support at 866-488-7386. You can also contact a trained crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 800-273-8255 or texting 741741

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