As Mr. Abbott described in his letter, the order would mean that “all licensed professionals who have direct contact with children” will be required to report to state authorities anyone they believe is undergoing gender-affirming treatment or is subject to criminal punishment.
Updated
March 1, 2022 12:47 pm ET
In a lawsuit Tuesday, the Texas ACLU and Lambda Legal, an advocacy organization focused on the LGBTQ community, sought to block a request for medical records in an employee’s case and, more broadly, challenged the legitimacy of the investigation and the governor’s power to change the definition of child abuse. According to the materials of the case, other investigations have also been launched.
The groups allege in the lawsuit that the governor’s directive was improperly issued under state law, was contrary to the Texas constitution, and violated the constitutional rights of transgender youth as well as their parents.
“No family should fear being separated because they support their transgender child,” Adri Perez, Texas ACLU political strategist, said in a statement. “In the week leading up to the election, Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a biased political attack that is not based on the needs of families.”
Dr. Megan Mooney, a licensed psychologist in Houston, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Dr. Mooney, who is required to report suspected child abuse by Texas law, has a practice that includes transgender patients, many of whom, according to the lawsuit, have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
The actions of Mr. Abbott and Mr. Paxton, two-term Republicans, came just days before the primary, in which they each face significant and high-profile challenges from far-right opponents. Mr. Paxton, who had been charged with securities fraud and corruption by his own former top aides, was seen as particularly vulnerable. Entering Tuesday’s primary, he looks unlikely to get more than 50 percent of the vote and is likely to make it to the runoff in May.
Paul Castillo, Senior Counsel at Lambda Legal, said in a statement that Mr. Abbott and Mr. Paxton were “joining a politically motivated disinformation campaign without regard to medical science and appear determined to prosecute parents who want to care for and provide for their children.” “, adding that “gender-affirming care for the treatment of gender dysphoria is medically necessary care, period.”