US State Prohibits Medical Care for Transgender Children

The Texas Supreme Court has upheld a law that prevents doctors from providing medical treatment to children who identify with a gender different from their assigned birth gender. This law, which took effect on September 1, 2023, after being signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in June 2023, includes the prohibition of puberty blockers, hormones, and other medications that assist transgender children in aligning their physical appearance with their gender identity.

The law specifically forbids doctors from performing gender transition procedures or treating gender dysphoria in individuals under 18 years old. This legislation faced significant opposition from parents, doctors, and advocacy groups who argued that it violated the Texas Constitution. A judge initially agreed with the opponents, issuing an injunction to prevent the law from being enforced.

However, on Friday, the Texas Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision, declaring the law constitutional. In the majority opinion, Justice Rebeca Huddle emphasized that while parents have a significant right to make healthcare decisions for their children without government interference, this right is not absolute. This ruling allows the law to remain in effect, significantly impacting the availability of medical treatments for transgender youth in Texas.