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Texas judge suspends governor’s order to investigate transgender procedures -Breaking

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO – Governor Greg Abbott speaks to members of the media after Robb Elementary School gunman shot 19 children and 2 teachers in Uvalde Texas on May 27, 2022. REUTERS/Veronica G. Cardenas

By Dan Whitcomb

(Reuters) – Friday’s Texas court ruling blocked Governor Greg Abbott’s order that child protection services examine parents or medical providers regarding gender transition treatment for minors.

Jan Soifer, Travis County District Judge issued a temporary order of restraining at the request of PFLAG (gay rights group), which sued Abbott over the February mandate to Texas Department of Family Protective Services.

Brian Bond (PFLAG executive director) stated that the families of transgender people will not be subject to invasive and unnecessary investigations from DFPS. This is a good thing.

Reuters inquired Abbott but he didn’t immediately respond. Abbott, along with Commissioner Jaime Masters are named as defendants. They said they could not comment or share details about investigations.

Governor’s Order marked the latest victory in ongoing political struggles over transgender topics, such as medical treatments for children and participation in girls’ sports.

Abbott demanded an investigation into health professionals that allow children hormones to alter their body or halt puberty. He instructed DFPS that he would investigate any parents who allowed their children to receive such treatment.

PFLAG claimed in the suit, which was also supported by Lambda Legal and the ACLU, that transgender kids need to have access to gender transition hormones and other procedures to ensure their mental health and well-being until they reach adulthood.

These treatments are opposed by those who believe that children and teens are too young for such decisions. The long-term effects and consequences of hormones and puberty-blockers are still not fully understood.

Texas Supreme Court held in an earlier ruling that while the governor couldn’t order investigations, it could limit protection to specific plaintiffs. This case is still being considered.

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