Anti Transgender Bill

 Earlier this year, Texas governor Greg Abbott issued a letter to Texas state health agencies stating that delivering gender-affirming medical treatments to trans youths is considered child abuse under state law. This means that nurses, doctors, and teachers are now legally required to report parents who aid their transgender child in receiving such care to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) (Sharrow). 

There has been a fair amount of pushback regarding this state law. The ACLU has now sued Texas and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement stating that denying trans youths health care is illegal and discriminatory under federal law. However, Texas is not alone. More than twelve state legislatures are undergoing considering certain legislations that would ban medical treatments for trans youths (Sederbaum).

Abbott's order is clearly targeting LGBTQ+ youths with regards to exclusion. All this order is doing is preventing kids from life saving medical care and devastating vulnerable children. 

This is sadly not the only policy that has targeted transgender youth. Last year, 10 states (Texas included) passed bans on trans kids competing in school athletics. 

Many conservatives in these states use the phrase "save our children" as an excuse for their actions. This saying can be traced back to anti-gay activists in the 1970's to demonize gays and lesbians. Clearly conservatives that back this bill are stuck in the past with no progressive action. 

Governor Abbott's bill is attempting to erase trans kids from history. When looking at the data, trans youths already severely struggle with day to day life and bills like these are only making it worse. 82% of transgender  citizens have considered the thought of suicide and 40% of them have attempted. With this being said, suicidality is highest among transgender youths (Austin).

All in all, this is a disgusting bill that should never have been passed. Being trans is NOT child abuse and is not a viable reason to withhold medical care.