Texas Moves Forward with Ban on Gender-Transition Drugs for Minors Despite Court Ruling

A Texas law prohibiting gender-transition drugs and surgeries for children is set to go into effect next week, even though a state judge has temporarily blocked its enforcement. Travis County Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel granted a temporary injunction, but it was quickly paused by the Office of the Attorney General, pending a decision by the Texas Supreme Court. The law, known as Senate Bill 14, is scheduled to take effect on September 1. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law on June 2, making Texas one of 22 states to ban or restrict gender-transition procedures for minors. The law has been challenged by five families, three medical providers, and two LGBTQ organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas supports the plaintiffs, while Texas Values Director of Policy Jonathan Covey applauds the attorney general’s office for fighting the ruling. The attorney general’s office argues that the law protects children from unproven and potentially harmful medical interventions. Despite the controversy, the law is set to go into effect and a court hearing on the case’s merits is scheduled for May 6, 2024.
Keywords: Texas, gender-transition drugs, minors, court ruling, Senate Bill 14, temporary injunction, Office of the Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court, Governor Greg Abbott, American Civil Liberties Union, Texas Values, medical interventions.