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The Texas Supreme Court has upheld a law prohibiting doctors from providing medical treatments to children who identify as a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth. These treatments include puberty blockers, hormones, and other medications intended to help transgender children feel more comfortable in their bodies.
The law, which took effect on September 1, 2023, was signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in June 2023. It bans medical professionals from performing gender transition procedures or treating gender dysphoria in individuals under 18 years old.
Opponents of the law, including parents, doctors, and advocacy groups, filed a lawsuit to block its enforcement, arguing that it likely violated the Texas Constitution. A judge initially agreed, issuing an injunction to halt the law.
However, on Friday, the Texas Supreme Court overturned this decision, ruling the law constitutional and allowing it to be enforced. Justice Rebeca Huddle, writing for the majority, acknowledged that while parents have significant rights to make healthcare decisions for their children, these rights are not absolute. She emphasized that the legislature has the authority to regulate medical practices, especially in cases where parents’ decisions may conflict with the state’s interests.
Justice Huddle explained that the legislature made a “permissible, rational policy choice” to limit the available medical procedures for children, considering the relative nascency of gender dysphoria and its treatments.
As a result, doctors in Texas are now barred from providing medical treatment to transgender minors. This decision aligns with similar legislative efforts in other Republican-led states, focusing on transgender rights.
