Texas Restricts Gender Transition Procedures for Minors

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill on Friday banning many gender transition procedures for children.

The Details: The law takes effect Sept. 1, and bans healthcare providers from prescribing hormones or puberty blockers to children, and from performing surgeries related to gender transition on minors. It makes exceptions for children who started non-surgical care before June 2023 and had 12 or more mental health counseling sessions or psychotherapy six months before starting prescription drug care; these children may apply to continue their care, but must "wean" off treatments under their doctor's guidance.

Key Quotes: "Our children need counseling and love, not blades and drugs," said state Sen. Donna Campbell, who wrote the bill. "Cruelty has always been the point," said Emmett Schelling, executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas.

For Context: It's expected to face legal challenges before taking effect. Texas is now the largest of the 18 states with similar restrictions on transgender healthcare for kids.

How the Media Covered It: Differing word choices across the spectrum reflected polarization on the issue. Many left- and center-rated sources said the law and bans "gender-affirming care" for minors. Others like the Texas Tribune (Lean Left bias) didn't, instead saying it "bars transgender kids from getting puberty blockers and hormone therapies." Washington Examiner (Lean Right) said it bans "gender-transition healthcare for children." Daily Wire (Right) said it will "protect children from life-altering transgender procedures" and surgeries for "girls who identify as boys."