Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law SB 14, which would bar transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. According to the law, doctors who do not comply will have their license revoked.
The Texas ACLU, along with other organizations, filed a lawsuit To prevent SB 14 from entering into force on September 1st. A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction. block the advancement of the lawbut the state has appealed and canceled the injunction for now.
As the debate unfolds in court, Texas providers have concerns. Physicians who treat trans minors say the law prevents them from doing their jobs and hurts their patients.
Beck Mansey, a clinical mental health counselor who treats youth and adult LGBTQ+ clients in North Texas, said he answers client questions year-round.
“Even if there is an anti-trans youth law, it affects adults as well,” he says. “[They’re] I worried, “Okay, are they attacking young people now?” What about two years from now? are they going to follow me? 』
Munsey hears these questions are coming up more often due to the state’s recent actions. Last year, the Department of Family Protection Services investigated families of transgender youth receiving gender-affirming medical care. This year’s Congressional bill sought to ban various aspects of LGBTQ+ life, including access to healthcare, drug performance, and trans-athlete activity. Participation in school sports.
All of this is creating a spiraling sense of anxiety for him and his patients, Manzi said.
“As a transgender and mental health professional, it’s very difficult for me,” he said. “Customers’ worries and anxieties are the same worries and anxieties as mine.”
What is gender positive care?
Texas legislators who backed SB 14 said SB 14 protects children by keeping them out of treatment and treatment. procedures that may harm them. Nevertheless Year of the study It outlines the importance of gender-affirming medicine and transition-related care in supporting the health and well-being of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.
Under SB 14, Medicaid and other state health care programs are also prohibited from paying or reimbursing doctors for these services.The law now stipulates that children must be weaned for a period of time if they are undergoing medical intervention. “And in a safe and medically appropriate manner.”
Based on the arguments and legislation he’s heard so far, Munsey believes lawmakers in Texas don’t understand what gender-positive care is or the impact it has on patients’ lives. .
Gender-affirming care Medical intervention may be necessary in the future, which often starts with a conversation, according to Manzi. That’s what he does with his cis and trans patients.
“We actively listen to our clients, validate and affirm their experiences, defend them and help find their authenticity,” he says. “These are the things we do with every client that comes to our counseling office.”
Gender-affirming care practices often vary according to patient age groups and patient needs, in accordance with medical standards. International Journal of Transgender Health. It may look like social transitions and support at home and school, or puberty blockers and hormone therapy as the patient becomes a teenager. “We need more time to explore the potential for healthcare transformation.”
“It’s a long process,” Manzi said. “This is being evaluated by trained medical and mental health professionals.”
He wants trans voices to be heard in policy decisions that affect the lives of trans people.
“I don’t think I’m going to change someone’s mind after one conversation, but I would really like to sit at the table instead of being on the menu,” Munzi said.
But the obscure wording of the law and harsh penalties for doctors who provide this treatment have left him and others wondering what the future holds for their work. Bavik Kumar, Medical Director of Primary and Transcare, said: Planned Parenting Gulf Coaststated that these practices represent the best standard of care for patients.
“When you think about gender care, it’s healthcare,” Kumar said. “That’s the first thing to mention. That’s access to acute treatment for the common cold. Access to chronic treatment for hypertension and thyroid disease. It’s also access to puberty suppression and hormonal interventions, if someone chooses.” there is.”
Ban on gender-affirming care mirrors ban on abortion
Kumar considers banning gender-affirming care Prohibition of Parallel AbortionThere, “politicians who are not health care providers are untrained” but spread misinformation that is “completely inconsistent with what we do”.
He said threats to doctors’ ability to serve patients also stem from abortion laws.
“When it comes to penalties, revocation of medical licenses, and indeed blatant attacks on health care providers, this is nothing new,” Kumar said. “It’s just too bad. It’s as ruthless and hostile as ever.”
Abortion is almost universally banned in Texas, so family planning doctors are trying to give patients the next best option, Kumar said. He said that whatever happens to gender-affirming access to healthcare, they will continue to serve patients in the way they can.
“This moment is very, very dark and grim,” he said. “But we will continue to move forward, rooted firmly in our truths and the truths we hear from our patients.”
Lawsuit to stop medical ban on trans youth
The Texas ACLU, along with Lambda Legal, the Transgender Law Center, and other advocacy groups, filed a lawsuit To prevent a ban that will take effect on September 1st. On August 25, a Texas judge gave the group a temporary restraining orderblocked the law, but the judge’s decision at this point was reversed as the state appealed.
Another group involved in a lawsuit with the Texas ACLU said: GLMA, representing LGBTQ+ and related health professionals nationwide. Executive Director Alex Sheldon said it was important for the organization to oppose policies that go against best medical practice.
“These bans are ‘solving the problem,’ but the problem doesn’t exist,” Sheldon said. “They claim to protect people from intrusive care. But they don’t need protection from medically necessary, life-saving care. It’s something.”
According to Sheldon, these laws aren’t just a matter of Texas: More than 20 Republican-led states have passed legislation banning gender-positive care, including Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, Oklahoma.
“We are seeing a continuing loss of trust in science and a continuing loss of the relationship between science and policy,” Sheldon said.
“If national health care decisions were based on political ideology rather than scientific evidence, the consequences would be far-reaching and disastrous. I know better than anyone that it is necessary.”
Regardless of whether the lawsuit goes through Travis County District Court block the ban Sheldon said GLMA has no plans to give up anytime soon.
“Now is not the time to be silent,” they said. “It’s not time to wait.
Any tips? Email Elena Rivera ([email protected])
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