Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American attorney who has served as the 48th governor of Texas since January 20, 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Abbott previously served as the 50th attorney general of Texas from 2002 to 2015. He is the third governor of any U.S. state to permanently use a wheelchair. He is also the first disabled governor in Texas history.
Texas governor Greg Abbott compares gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth to “child abuse”
Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, compared medical procedures for young transgender people to “child abuse”. In a letter sent on 22 February to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the 64-year-old ordered investigations into gender-affirming care. “Because the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting children from abuse, I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas,” Abbott wrote.
He said that this should include parents of children who undergo such treatments, including the likes of puberty and hormone-suppressing drugs.
According to the governor, “all licensed professionals who have direct contact with children who may be subject to such abuse, including doctors, nurses, and teachers” should report it immediately or face “criminal penalties”.
A statement from the White House swiftly rejected Abbott’s stance. “Families should have the right to seek healthcare that will enable young people to live healthy and fulfilled lives.
