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Republican lawmakers across the country have promoted similar
bills, saying they mistrust the consensus among major medical
associations that endorse gender-affirming care as needed and
even life-saving for trans youth after extensive evaluation.
Texas, the second most-populous U.S. state, has an estimated
29,800 transgender youth aged 13 to 17, according to the
Williams Institute of UCLA.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have pledged
to fight the law in court, as they have similar legislation in
other states.
"They (Texas lawmakers) are hellbent on joining the growing
roster of states determined to jeopardize the health and lives
of transgender youth, in direct opposition to the overwhelming
body of scientific and medical evidence," the ACLU said in a
statement when the bill passed the legislature.
The Texas law creates exceptions for minors who began treatment
before June 1 or for those who attended 12 or more sessions of
mental health counseling or psychotherapy for at least six
months.
But those patients "shall wean off the prescription drug over a
period of time," the law says.
Backers of such laws say government must intervene against the
wishes of parents and doctors because they fear it will cause
irreparable harm and say children are incapable of acceding to
such decisions.
Groups including the American Medical Association, the American
Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics
oppose the legislation.
Republicans introduced more than 500 bills affecting LGBTQ
people in 2023, with more than 50 passing, according to the
Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ rights group. Those numbers are
up from 315 bills introduced and 29 passed in 2022.
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
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