Biden administration releases trans-supportive guidance to child welfare agencies

metroweekly.com:

issued a directive instructing the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents who have allowed their transgender-identifying children to access gender-affirming medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and hormones.

Abbott based his order on an opinion by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who opined that gender-affirming care renders patients infertile and should be considered “abuse” because it allegedly irreversibly impacts a child’s ability to procreate.In response, the White House condemned Texas Republicans’ actions, calling them “government overreach at its worst” and charging that such actions are politically-motivated.

Echoing remarks he made during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Joe Biden reiterated his pledge to support transgender youth and allow them to “reach [their] God-given potential.”“In the United States of America, we respect the rights and dignity of all families,” Biden said in a statement. “Transgender children bring fulfillment to their parents, joy to their friends, and are made in the image of God.

Affirming a transgender child’s identity is one of the best things a parent, teacher, or doctor can do to help keep children from harm, and parents who love and affirm their children should be applauded and supported, not threatened, investigated, or stigmatized. … Jill and I are standing with the incredibly brave transgender children, their parents, and families throughout Texas and around the country, and we will continue to fight for a future where all children can thrive.”In addition to condemnation from the president, the U.S.