Texas Becomes Latest State to Protect Minors by Banning Puberty Blockers, Cross-Sex Hormones, and Surgical Procedures 

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Texas joins several other states in banning so-called gender-affirming care for minors. 

The Texas legislature voted to give final approval for legislation that would protect minors from receiving life-changing “gender-affirming care.” 

According to Life Site News, the Texas Senate gave final approval by a 19-12 vote of legislation that would ban “minors from being subjected to puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and so-called gender-reassignment surgery, with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott expected to sign.”

“SB 14 forbids for minors an array of surgical and chemical procedures intended ‘[f]or the purpose of transitioning a child ’s biological sex as determined by the sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous profiles of the child or affirming the child ’s perception of the child’s sex if that perception is inconsistent with the child’s biological sex.’”

Children who have already started treatments will safely wean off the prescription drugs in a way that would minimize complications and risks.

Medicaid reimbursements for the transitioning of minors will be prohibited under the bill which will take effect in September.

“We are the Legislature — our job is to protect people,” said Republican state Sen. Bob Hall. “We protect children against lots of things. We don’t let them smoke. We don’t let them drink. We don’t let them buy lottery cards […] And so we are doing the right thing.”

Democratic Representative Shawn Thierry used common sense when looking at the situation and broke away from her party.

She voted in favor of the bill saying that “as a thoughtful legislator, mother, woman of faith and child advocate,” she was “making a decision to place the safety and well-being of all young people over the comfort of political expediency.”

Before the bill went to vote, Thierry wrote a letter to her constituents explaining her position.

“After hearing from constituents, listening to stakeholders, and reviewing the scientific data in this country and around the globe, I am assured that this position is rooted in sound policy which supports the health, development, and overall well-being of minors,” Thierry wrote.

“Sadly, the discussion has become polarized and politicized. In fact, while many of my constituents encouraged me to vote in favor of this legislation, hostile activists on social media platforms have made nasty political threats to influence my vote against this bill,” Thierry continued.

“These personal, and even racist, attacks on me as an African American woman are neither productive nor persuasive.”

It’s unfortunate that a representative voting in accordance with the will of the people she represents would get attacked.

Why do Democrats think that something as serious as removing body parts or blocking puberty is something for which a minor can give consent?

The ACLU issued a joint statement with Lamba Legal and the Transgender Law Center in opposition to the bill:

“Texas Senate Bill 14 bans the only evidence-based care for gender dysphoria for transgender people under 18 and aims to strip doctors of their medical licenses for providing their patients with the care they know to be medically necessary.”

If Gov. Greg Abbott signs the bill as he said he will, it will go into effect on September 1.