Here's what to know about our urgent work to protect trans kids.

ACLU Supporter, we want to uplift a crucial message from the ACLU of Texas on the recent opinions of Attorney General Paxton and letter by Governor Abbott – which attempt to advance grossly false ideas that treating transgender youth with gender-affirming medical care is child abuse.

As our affiliate's email mentions below, these materials are not legally binding – but they spread fear and misinformation and could spur false reporting of child abuse leading to state intervention in loving and supportive homes.

Make no mistake: Harmful acts like these are not isolated to Texas. We're in the middle of a nationwide crisis of politicians using their power to attack trans kids with waves of anti-trans legislation right now.

Alabama's House already passed a bill last week that would make treating a transgender adolescent under 19 with gender-affirming medical care a felony. Similar bills are moving in Ohio, Oklahoma, Idaho, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Tennessee.

The time to be loud in support of trans youth is now. That means telling lawmakers to oppose all legislation targeting trans youth, loving and affirming the trans people in your life, and speaking up when you hear misinformation about trans people. If you haven't already, please read and share our new resource guide to help navigate tough conversations on this urgent issue. <[link removed]>

ACLU Supporter, we know when young people are affirmed in their identity, they thrive. We know gender-affirming medical care saves lives – and is supported by every major medical association.

Most importantly, we know the joy and resilience of our trans communities will not be erased.

So to all our trans youth and their families right now: The ACLU will never stop fighting to protect you or your right to be yourself. We're here and we have your back. Count on it.

– The ACLU Team

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Friend –

Earlier this week, state leadership in Texas launched another harmful attack on trans youth as part of their politically motivated misinformation campaign.

First, for every young person and family impacted, please know this: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's opinion and Governor Greg Abbott's directive to investigate gender-affirming medical care under the claim of child abuse are not legally binding, can't change Texas law, and can't override the constitutional rights of Texas families.

Moreover, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services cannot remove any child from their parents or guardians without a court order. No court here in Texas or anywhere in the country has ever found that gender-affirming care can be considered child abuse.

These dangerous actions do, however, enable the spread of even further fear and misinformation about our trans communities – and may spur false reporting of child abuse across the state.

So let's be clear: Gender-affirming care saves lives.

Loving, supportive parents and guardians who take their trans children to licensed healthcare providers for medical care are not engaging in child abuse. In fact, every major medical association has made clear that gender-affirming treatments are medically necessary for certain youth.

If you'd like additional resources – or ways to support trans youth in Texas – please read and share our partner toolkit here. (This link will take you to a third-party website, txtranskids.org) <[link removed]>

These sustained attacks from state leaders against our families are attempts to erase trans youth from our communities and will not be tolerated.

Together, we can make Texas a state in which all people – no matter our ages, races, or genders – are free to be who we are.

Our work to ensure that transgender youth can thrive here in Texas continues. We will never stop fighting to protect trans kids and their families.

For all of us,

ACLU of Texas

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