Story perspectives

Texas Uses Paxton Ruling to Criminally Target Therapists

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 6:23 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared gender-affirming care for minors child abuse on February 18, 2022.
His opinion now underpins Texas child-abuse investigations into gender-affirming treatment.
In March 2026 Paxton warned therapists who fail to “stabilize” gender dysphoria could face criminal penalties.
Texas uniquely threatens to remove trans children from families and bans them from talk therapy.
No other state attorney general has labeled gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse.

History

Historical Context

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted 20 November 1989, requires parties to safeguard children’s health and identity. The United States signed it on 16 February 1995 but has not ratified it, so the CRC gives no domestic standing. In 2022 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton used the treaty’s child-protection language to deem gender-affirming care abuse, a tactic other states may emulate.

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Story summary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared gender-affirming care for minors child abuse on February 18, 2022.
His opinion now underpins Texas child-abuse investigations into gender-affirming treatment.
In March 2026 Paxton warned therapists who fail to “stabilize” gender dysphoria could face criminal penalties.
Texas uniquely threatens to remove trans children from families and bans them from talk therapy.
No other state attorney general has labeled gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse.

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