Texas bans gender-affirming treatment for trans youth

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, making it the 18th and largest state in the nation to enact such a ban. Senate Bill 14, which passed the state’s Republican-majority legislature last month despite fierce opposition from Democrats, is “vicious,” “cruel” and “blatantly unconstitutional,” according to Ash Hall, policy and advocacy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. Texas’ GOP-controlled Senate voted 19-12 to approve the bill, while the House — also controlled by Republicans — passed...