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 Supreme Court allows ban on gender-affirming care to take effect
The Texas Supreme Court allowed a new state law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth to take effect on 1 September.
An array of medically-accepted treatments, such as hormones and puberty blockers, will now be prohibited. “Transgender youth and their families are forced to confront the start of the school year fearful of what awaits them,” a joint statement from legal advocates who sued on behalf of families and doctors, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said. “But let us be clear: The fight is far from over.” The ruling comes after a state district judge previously declared that the law violated the rights of trans children and their families when it comes to seeking necessary medical care, as well as those of doctors to follow “well-established, evidence-based” medical guidelines. READ MORE: Texas governor Greg Abbott signs bill banning trans athletes from college-level sports This prompted the judge to issue a temporary injunction, blocking the law from taking effect until now.
The all-Republican Supreme Court did not explain its decision to lift the injunction, nor did the order address the lower court’s ruling, with a full hearing expected in the near future.
Gender-affirming care for minors has been banned to varying effects in more than 20 US states, though some of these have been put on hold by courts.
