Judge halts Texas efforts to probe gender-affirming care for trans children

A Texas judge on Wednesday halted the Abbot administration’s efforts to investigate parents who allow their transgender children receive gender-affirming care. 

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) last month to begin investigating cases of gender-affirming care as possible child abuse. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit against those efforts on Tuesday on behalf of a DFPS employee with transgender children, who said an investigator allegedly arrived at their home. 

On Wednesday, the Travis County District Court granted a temporary restraining order, with the judge setting a hearing on March 11 to consider if the state’s efforts should be blocked more broadly.

Abbott, the DFPS and its commissioner Jaime Masters are named as defendants on the lawsuit.

“We appreciate the relief granted to our clients, but this should never have happened and is unfathomably cruel,” Brian Klosterboer, an attorney with the ACLU of Texas, said after the ruling.

“Families should not have to fear being separated because they are providing the best possible health care for their children. The elected leaders and agencies of this state should not play politics with people’s lives. We will do all that’s possible to stop these abuses of power and ensure transgender young people can receive medically recommended treatment,” he added.