Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has declared war on transgender youth in the Lone Star State, and is ordering child welfare workers to investigate and determine if any parents are allowing their children to receive gender reassignment surgery or puberty-blocking medications and report them to the state so they can be charged with child abuse.
In other words, Texas has now created what can truly be called the Sex Police, and they are determined to fully invade the privacy of any parents or kids who dare to make decisions for themselves without the interference of Big Brother.
The Washington Post reports:
Abbott wrote that the protective services agency “is responsible for protecting children from abuse,” adding in a tweet Tuesday that the agency will “refer for prosecution any such abuse.”
Parents will be referred for prosecution even though the state has no valid right to intrude into such matters, much the same as the state should have no right to mandate what women can do with their reproductive choices.
It’s important to keep in mind that medical professionals say punishing children in such a way is counterproductive, with the American Academy of Pediatrics (among others) supporting the use of gender-affirming care for trans children.
Fortunately, it may be impossible to enforce Abbott’s draconian measure, as it does not have the force of an actual law. Prosecutors in numerous Texas counties have indicated they have no intention of following the order or prosecuting any trans children or their parents, with Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee (D) remarking:
“As the lawyer who represents DFPS in civil child abuse cases in Harris County, I can tell you my office won’t be participating in this political game.”
Featured Image Via NBC News
