An LGBTQ activist group sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday to suppress documents that potentially contain information about transgender procedures for minors.
The litigation between Paxton and PFLAG regards the enactment of SB 14, which bans medical providers from providing sex alteration surgeries or transgender hormones to minors. PFLAG admitted in court last year that it consulted with individuals regarding “contingency plans,” “alternative avenues to maintain care in Texas,” and general practitioners who might provide transgender procedures to minors following the enactment of the law.
Paxton launched an investigation into ways some medical providers may attempt to dodge the statute, demanding that PFLAG provide any documentation of discussions concerning such “contingency plans.” PFLAG responded by filing a lawsuit.
“Texas passed SB 14 to protect children from damaging, unproven medical interventions with catastrophic lifelong consequences for their health,” Paxton said in a statement. “Any organization seeking to violate this law, commit fraud, or weaponize science and medicine against children will be held accountable.”
Brian Bond, CEO of PFLAG, called Paxton’s demand “mean-spirited.”
“This mean-spirited demand from the Attorney General’s Office is petty and invasive, which is why we want the court to put an end to it,” he said in a statement. “Across races, places, and genders, our families and communities are stronger when we are free to come together. PFLAG National, our chapters, and our entire community will continue leading with love as we have for the last five decades, providing support, education, and advocacy to ensure every LGBTQ+ person in Texas and beyond is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.”
A whistleblower at Texas Children’s Hospital revealed last year that the medical provider continued to provide transgender hormones to minors after it promised not to do so. The whistleblower, Eithan Haim, went public with his story earlier this year, revealing that the Biden administration had launched an investigation into him related to documents he leaked. The investigation included federal agents appearing unexpectedly at his house.
“The hospital was conducting something very questionable and illegal and lying to the public about it. Then I’m the one being investigated, with agents showing up to my apartment the day of my graduation, a few hours before the ceremony, with my parents there, which was, of course, likely planned, in my opinion,” Haim previously told The Dallas Express.