Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is ramping up efforts to enforce the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors by filing a lawsuit against a third physician, accusing him of providing hormonal treatment to underage patients in violation of the law.
Paxton's latest legal action targets Dr. M. Brett Cooper, an associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
The lawsuit, filed in Collin County, alleges that Dr. Cooper prescribed testosterone therapy to at least 15 minors, primarily between the ages of 14 and 17.
The Attorney General has characterized Cooper as a “scofflaw” and a “radical gender activist,” reflecting a broader initiative by Texas to crack down on the administration of gender-affirming treatments to children, which have become a contentious topic in American politics.
According to Paxton, the violations continued even after the law took effect on September 1, 2023. The lawsuit details that Dr. Cooper issued prescriptions as recently as late October.
This decisive action from the Texas AG underscores a growing concern among conservatives about the treatments offered to children dealing with gender dysphoria.
Proponents argue that such measures are necessary to protect minors from irreversible decisions they may not fully understand.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Dr. Cooper misrepresented diagnoses to support the administration of such treatments, allegedly using terms like “precocious puberty” and “endocrine disorder” to facilitate the prescriptions.
This investigation aligns with a broader trend in several states, where lawmakers are increasingly focusing on parental rights and safeguarding children's health in the context of gender identity.
Supporters of Paxton's actions emphasize the importance of adhering to laws designed to protect vulnerable youth, reflecting a commitment to scrutinizing the methods employed by medical practitioners in delicate matters of gender identity.
As the debate intensifies, the Attorney General's office remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the law, sending a strong message that violations will not be tolerated.
With Texas leading the charge, the implications of this legal battle could resonate far beyond state lines, shaping discussions around gender-affirming care and the protection of minors across the nation.
Sources:
twitchy.comtheblaze.comtpr.org