Earlier this week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a letter and opinion with a dangerous and false suggestion that gender-affirming care for transgender youth should be considered child abuse in the state. In response, GLMA President Nicholas Grant, PhD, and Executive Hector Vargas, JD, issued the following statement:

“Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton are jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of transgender and gender nonconforming youth in Texas with this baseless and cruel attempt to interfere with young people and their families who are simply seeking the best healthcare available. GLMA and our colleague health professional associations know that gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary and saves lives.

"As stated by the ACLU of Texas, these actions have 'no legal effect' and are the latest in a series of moves by conservative state leaders to politicize healthcare for those who need it most. GLMA will continue its work to oppose any efforts to ban or limit gender-affirming care, and support healthcare providers caring for transgender and gender nonconforming youth in Texas and across the nation."

The NASW of Texas also issued a statement opposing these actions, which states in part: "NASW/TX reminds licensed social workers that this is a non-binding legal opinion and they still have professional discretion on mandatory reporting [of child abuse under Texas law]. No rules on reporting were changed through this opinion, nor through the Governor's letter.