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February 24, 2022

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Calls Gender-Affirming Surgery for Trans Teens "Child Abuse"
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At least two district attorneys from Texas's largest counties say they
will refuse to comply with an order by Republican Governor Greg Abbott
to investigate gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth as
"child abuse." Abbott's directive to state agencies says parents of
trans children receiving the often lifesaving care should be
investigated and that anyone - including doctors, nurses and teachers -
who fails to report the treatment to authorities could face criminal
liability. Medical groups, rights groups and families slammed Texas's
latest attack on LGBTQ+ youth. Last year Texas joined other
Republican-led states in banning transgender youth from participating in
school sports. 

Earlier this month, South Dakota's Republican Governor Kristi Noem
signed a similar law for South Dakotan trans athletes. She came under
fire this week when she refused to acknowledge how anti-trans
legislation was impacting her own constituents.

Kyle Ireland: "There is a statistic circulating around right now that
90% of South Dakota's LGBTQ community is diagnosed with either anxiety
or depression. Why do you think that is?"

Gov. Kristi Noem: "I don't know. That makes me sad, and we should figure
it out."

Meanwhile, Florida's new anti-LGBTQ education bill, known as the "Don't
Say Gay" bill, has advanced in the state House and is scheduled for a
final vote in the House today. The bill would ban discussions of sexual
orientation and gender identity in schools.


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