Despite a judge’s order, Texas is moving forward with the implementation of a ban on gender-transition drugs for minors.
Despite a state judge’s order preventing the measure from being enforced, a Texas law that prohibits the use of gender-transition drugs and surgeries for children is set to become effective next week.
Travis County Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel approved the temporary injunction that was asked for by families of transgender youth in a ruling on Friday. She stated that Senate Bill 14 “disrupts the private choices of Texas families,” however, its effects were not long-lasting.
The Attorney General’s Office promptly submitted a request for an expedited appeal, which temporarily halts the injunction until the Texas Supreme Court reaches a decision. The law is currently set to become effective on September 1st.
The office stated on Friday that it will uphold the values of the people of Texas by enforcing the laws passed by the Texas Legislature and taking all necessary measures to safeguard children from harmful ‘gender transition’ interventions.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 14 into law on June 2, making Texas one of 22 states to ban or restrict gender-transition procedures for minors.
Five families with minor children who identify as the opposite sex, three medical providers, and two LGBTQ organizations filed a complaint against the law one month later.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas stated in a tweet on Friday that a district court in Texas has determined that transgender youth, along with all residents of Texas, possess the right to receive essential medical treatment that can save their lives. The organization expressed that it is unjust for individuals to be forced to defend their right to simply exist in a court of law. The ACLU of Texas is committed to persisting until this heartless ban is completely invalidated.
Jonathan Covey, director of policy at Texas Values, expressed support for the Texas attorney general’s office in their efforts to challenge the ruling.
“I cannot reword.”
A court hearing regarding the merits of the case has been scheduled for May 6, 2024, according to his statement.
Nope. Decision already appealed and this false trial court ruling now has been stopped. SB 14 child protection law to prevent kid body mutilation and healthy body parts being removed will go into effect on September 1 as planned. #txlege @DonnaCampbellTX @TomOliverson https://t.co/cAmZlqBTQI
— Jonathan Saenz (@jonathansaenzTX) August 25, 2023
The office of the attorney general stated that the law prohibits hospitals from giving experimental hormones or performing harmful ‘gender transition’ surgeries on minors.
The office stated that certain individuals in the medical and psychiatric fields are strongly advocating for these untested medical treatments, even though there is no evidence to support their effectiveness. Additionally, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that these interventions have negative impacts on the mental and physical well-being of children.
Nathan Noe, the pseudonym for one of the teen plaintiffs, said that the “idea of growing up as a woman felt so indescribably and inexplicably wrong, and I couldn’t picture myself as a young teenage girl,” but taking testosterone has “tremendously improved all aspects of my life.”
“I have a deep affection for Texas. It is my home, where my family resides,” expressed the teenager in a statement featured on the ACLU of Texas website. “This is the environment in which I was raised, and I am unwilling to depart from it simply because my government has chosen to target individuals like myself.”
