Transgender children, families rally outside Texas Capitol, Governor’s Mansion

More than 200 people showed up on Gov. Greg Abbott’s doorstep Sunday with a message: Leave transgender children alone. The rally dubbed “Trans Kids Cry for HELP!” was a colorful, ebullient and at times indignant response to Abbott’s order telling child protective services to investigate the families of transgender minors receiving certain medical treatments. The state has opened at least nine abuse probes in response, with the family of one trans teenager suing to block the directive. Tracy and Matt, a couple who declined to give their last name for fear of investigation, came to the rally from nearby Schertz to show support for their 12-year-old transgender son. “We came for our son, who was too scared,” Tracy said. While they’re concerned about being targeted by the state, the parents said they would not be pressured to change the care they’ve sought for him. “If they come to our door, we’re going to fight.”

Abbott issued his order on the heels of a nonbinding opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton, who interpreted the state’s child abuse law to include certain types of gender affirming medical treatments for minors. The governor also warned those who may come into contact with trans kids, like teachers and doctors, that it’s a crime to fail to report child abuse. The order has sowed fear among parents, but left those tasked with implementing it with many questions. Lawmakers last year failed to pass a bill that would have codified gender affirming care as abuse in state law, and opponents say Abbott was acting outside of his authority when he issued this order. On Friday, a state district court judge overseeing the lawsuit challenging the state put abuse investigations on hold, but Paxton immediately appealed the ruling and said his move would allow these probes to continue unabated. Organizers said the rally was purposefully joyful, a raucous showing of love and acceptance meant to oppose the terror and uncertainty Abbott’s recent directive has thrust upon families with trans children. The event attracted attendees of all ages — from young children with their parents to LGBTQ elders — to the parking lot just outside of the Governor’s Mansion opposite the state Capitol.