A new lawsuit from three Texas families has been filed in an effort to halt child abuse investigations into parents of trans youth.
Back in February, Attorney General Ken Paxton released an official opinion denouncing gender-affirming care. He also said that the life-saving treatments should be considered “child abuse”.
Shortly after his harmful statement, Governor Greg Abbott released his own transphobic letter – which ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to start investigations into parents of trans youth.
“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,” he wrote.
Even though the anti-trans order was not legally binding, the DFPS began the aforementioned investigations shortly after – which resulted in the family of a trans teen and psychologist Megan Mooney filing a lawsuit against the state.
In response to the directives and the lawsuit, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum implemented a statewide injunction on 11 March.
However on 13 May, the Texas Supreme Court overturned the statewide injunction – which in turn allowed the harmful investigations to continue.
In a new effort to halt the invasive probes, Adam and Amber Briggle, two other anonymous families and the LGBTQ+ organisation Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) filed a lawsuit against Abbott and DFPS.
The suit, which was submitted on 8 June, seeks to block any future investigations into the three aforementioned families, PFLAG families or any other individuals that may be subjected to DFPS investigations.
The group also seeks to have the terrifying order be deemed invalid –due to the directives violating the state’s constitution.
Lambda Legal, American Civil Liberties Union and Baker Botts LLP are representing the families and organisation.
“[The] Defendants have trampled on the constitutional and statutory rights of transgender children and their parents,” the lawsuit detailed.
“The defendants have, without constitutional or statutory authority, acted to create a new definition of child abuse that singles out a subset of a loving parents for scrutiny, investigation and potential family separation.”
The lawsuit also revealed that Abbott’s directives created a great deal of anxiety and fear amongst the plaintiffs – which caused one of the teens from the three families to attempt suicide.
Shortly after the lawsuit was made public, Executive Director of PFLAG National, Brian K. Bond, released a powerful statement regarding the legal action.
“For nearly 50 years, PFLAG parents have united against government efforts to harm their LGBTQ+ kids. By going after trans kids and their families, Gov. Abbott has picked a fight with thousands of families in Texas and across the country who are united as members of PFLAG National,” he said.
Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Paul D. Castillo echoed similar sentiments, stating: “With [Wednesday’s] filing, we are joining with PFLAG in working to protect all Texas families who simply want to make sure their children are safe, happy, and healthy. It is unconscionable that the state wants to interfere in that relationship.”
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