Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered that Texas authorities investigate all parties who provide gender-affirming care and treatment to Texans under 18. The fear-mongering, highly partisan, non-scientific action, supported only by the opinion of the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, places trans youth, already subjected to the transphobic and outdated trans sports bill, in further jeopardy. The scapegoating of trans children, a highly-vulnerable population, by so-called Christians and Conservatives, in an attempt to attract the fanatic wing of their ever-waning base, is playing politics with the lives of children. Politicians such as Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton have arbitrarily decided on policy that directly contradicts the findings of the AMA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the APA, all of which state that affirming care is lifesaving and the opposite of child abuse. This is a transparent attempt at virtue signaling in a state with the second-highest number of transgender residents in the entire country. Instead of focusing on his states’ failing infrastructure or its’ “D” financial health ranking, Abbott’s obsession with the personal healthcare and reproductive organs of minors has taken hold of the platform and direction of the Texas GOP and the GOP in other states who have passed similarly dangerous bills- Montana, South Dakota, Mississippi and Florida to name a few.

In New Jersey, we are fortunate to have representatives who learn about, understand, and protect our trans youth instead of putting their lives in jeopardy. We stand with transgender Texans and their guardians and advocates. Our collective heart breaks for the kids who will be denied the only thing they need of the adults in positions of authority- Greg Abbott has denied them safety and care. He has failed all Texans yet again in the name of “family values.” It’s our sincerest hope that Greg Abbott and all those who share his harmful, ancient viewpoints will take the time to learn and grow, and we will continue to advocate for a world in which the lives of transgender individuals are safe from persecution. Transgender identity is not a new concept, but unfortunately, bigotry and violence against trans people continues to flourish in the institutions of Texas.

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