LOS ANGELES – Elliot Page is horrified by Texas officials’ declaration that transgender medical care is child abuse. After Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, declared Monday that hormone therapy and puberty blocking drugs for trans youth were forms of child abuse, the “Juno” actor spoke out.
Paxton stated in a statement that “there is no doubt” that the procedures are ‘abuse’ according to Texas law and should be stopped. “The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is responsible for ensuring that this happens. I will do my best to protect young Texans from those who exploit and harm them.
Paxton also tweeted that gender affirming procedures for children were “monstrous and tragic”. Later, Texas Governor Greg Abbott supported his views. Greg Abbott called for state agencies to conduct prompt and thorough investigations into the use gender-affirming care of trans youth.
Abbott wrote a letter to Texas’ Department of Family and Protective Services in which he claimed that gender-affirming therapies “can legally be considered child abuse under many provisions” of Texas state law. He noted that Texas medical staff must report child abuse cases and that the current law provides criminal penalties for failing to report it.
Elliot Page stated in a statement to Variety that “I am horrified at the inhumane, downright dangerous declarations made by the Texas Governor” “Trans youth need gender-affirming support and the freedom to be themselves without fear or oppression. I stand with trans youths and their families.
Gabrielle Union, actor whose stepdaughter was transgender, used her twitter page to encourage her followers to take action against Paxton and Abbott’s anti-trans beliefs.
Union wrote, “This is where you are.” “We have gotten past the dangerous and horrendous a long while ago. So who’s there to support me in this fight?
Jen Richards, a well-known trans actor with credits including “Better Things”, and “Mrs. Fletcher”, wrote on Twitter that Texas has declared that the type of care recommended by all major medical and pediatric associations, with decades worth of evidence of effectiveness, and provided by doctors in full collaboration with parents…is child cruelty.
Richards said, “We know what the result will be.” Richards said, “Because transpeople exist, have always existed and will always exist, it just means trans youth will be at greater risk, more vulnerable, both at home and at school.” They will be expelled or run away, and suicide rates will rise.
Richard referred to Paxton and Abbott, and said, “These people have serious illnesses and project all of their worries and obsessions onto us.” They can’t stop thinking about us, even though we’re just trying to live our lives. Our bodies. Our sex. Their efforts seem like fan-fiction horror. It’s dark, and it’s twisted.”