Governor Greg Abbott issued an order last month directing the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the other state agencies to open investigations. This was called “child abuse”.
After a family with a transgender teenager sued, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum issued an injunction against Abbott’s order. Meachum ruled that the order violated constitutional rights of transgender families and children. According to The Associated Press, the judge set a July 11 trial to hear Abbott’s case.
Families of transgender children in Texas have lived in fear since Abbott’s order was issued. Child Protective Services is currently investigating nine families.
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued last month a legal opinion just before Abbott announced his order. It stated that gender affirming “procedures” and treatments can be legally considered child abuse when they are performed on children.
Adam Briggle, father of a transgender teenager, stated that “the stakes have never been higher or more real for us.”
Amber Briggle and Adam Briggle said that CPS came to their home to inquire if they were providing care for their 14-year old son’s transition.
Amber Briggle stated, “I was lying on my stomach, grasping the floor and in a fetal position, because the room would not stop spinning.”
The Briggles invited Paxton’s wife and son to their home for dinner in 2016 to discuss transgender issues. Paxton even took a photo with their son.
Amber Briggle stated, “They know that we are not child abusers.” “He sat down at my table, broke bread with my family and then said that families like mine shouldn’t exist.” It’s a political stunt.
Texas Children’s Hospital is the largest pediatric hospital in Texas. It has stopped all gender-affirming therapy.
Republican Senator Charles Perry supports the directive’s intention.
He stated, “I believe the data supports that they are not mature enough for these decisions to be made for them to comprehend.”
Despite Friday’s ruling by the judge, the future of the Briggles and their families, along with the families of nearly 14,000 teenagers who are transgender in Texas, remains uncertain.
