Global Courant
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has become the most populous state to ban gender-affirming care for minors after Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation into law Friday.
Texas joined at least 18 other states that have enacted similar bans.
Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans and supported medical care for young people when properly administered. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year.
Last year, Abbott became the first governor to order a study of families receiving care. The investigations were later dropped by a Texas judge.
The GOP-controlled legislature sent the bill to Abbott last month. Senate Republicans took the final vote over the objections of Democrats, who used parliamentary maneuvers to slow down the passage but couldn’t derail it entirely.
Transgender rights activists have disrupted the Texas House with protests from the chamber gallery, leading to state police forcing protesters to leave the building.
