The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services released statements defending the rights of transgender youth in Texas
New York, NY— Family Equality, the leading national organization for LGBTQ+ families, commends the Biden Administration for denouncing the illegitimate actions taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbot and Attorney General Ken Paxton to criminalize medically necessary gender-affirming care for children.
In a statement from the White House, the Administration called for an end to the government overreach exemplified by Gov. Abbott and the numerous other anti-transgender attacks rising in states across the country.
On the same day, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced several actions to protect LGBTQI+ youth in Texas, including guidances that:
- Emphasize the need for child welfare agencies to “to advance safety and support for LGBTQI+ youth,” including providing access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth;
- Clarify that despite threats from the Texas government, health care providers are not required to disclose private patient information regarding gender-affirming care; and
- Confirm that it is illegal to deny health care based on gender identity, as is restricting doctors and health care providers from providing care because of a patient’s gender identity.
“As an LGBTQ+ parent living and raising my sons in the Lone Star State, I am moved to see this Administration take the steps necessary to protect and support transgender youth, their parents, and families in Texas,” said Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality. “As their actions demonstrate, we will not accept these assaults on our young people. Putting the best interest of our children first is the gold standard in parenting, medicine, and child welfare alike. We should be applauding those who work to affirm LGBTQI+ youth, not threatening them with stigmatizing and discriminatory policies. We are grateful to the Biden Administration for recognizing the value and bravery of transgender youth and families, and we commit to working alongside them and a broad coalition of advocates in continuing to fight for their right to thrive.”
In addition to the Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Endocrine Society, and the Pediatric Endocrine Society have all issued statements opposing Abbott’s actions.
If you believe that or your family has been discriminated against on the basis of gender identity in seeking access to gender-affirming health care, you can file a complaint here with the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights.
About Family Equality
Family Equality advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality believes every LGBTQ+ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at familyequality.org.
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