An Austin judge on Monday once again stopped the state from accessing information on trans youth from national LGBTQ+ organization PFLAG.
Judge Amy Clark Meachum from Travis County鈥檚 201st Civil District court granted the organization a against the Texas Attorney General鈥檚 Office and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Lambda Legal is one of the organizations representing PFLAG in court. said he 鈥渄id not anticipate a decision today from the bench,鈥� but he鈥檚 thankful the court saw 鈥渢he urgency of our requests for injunctive relief.鈥�
鈥淚t was important for PFLAG to convey just how disruptive these demands were to their mission, where they are providing a safe space and peer support,鈥� he said.
PFLAG received a to turn over any documents involving 鈥渃ontingency plans and/or alternative avenues to maintain care鈥� for trans youth, along with 鈥渞ecommendations, referrals and/or lists鈥� of health providers treating trans youth.
The Office of the Attorney General of Texas (OAG) has sent inquiries to hospitals, clinics and other organizations to turn over any documentation on trans youth and their health services. Seattle Children鈥檚 Hospital sued the office in December 2023, writing in an affidavit that the hospital does not treat any Texas patients and the inquiry was a fear tactic to stop Texans from seeking care in other states.
The OAG鈥檚 demands stem from Senate Bill 14, a law passed after last year鈥檚 legislative session that bans gender-affirming care for trans Texans under eighteen.
PFLAG won a temporary restraining order earlier this month. Monday鈥檚 ruling grants a temporary injunction as the courts sort out the validity of the state鈥檚 request.
Castillo said the state鈥檚 request has already been harmful to PFLAG鈥檚 chapters in Texas.
鈥淢embership and participation in those meetings has decreased since the demands have been issued,鈥� he said. 鈥淰olunteer chapter leaders are moving meetings from public libraries to private homes. There is reluctance to secure and obtain sign-in information from members because parents and families fear that the Office of the Attorney General is collecting information about who these trans and non-binary young people are in Texas.鈥�
Castillo said demands for information are part of a larger agenda to 鈥渁ttack for political purposes transgender youth and their families.鈥�
鈥淧FLAG was incredibly brave and it鈥檚 continuing stepping up on behalf of PFLAG members all across Texas that continue to be attacked and bullied by the state of Texas and the attorney general,鈥� he said.
A trial on the merits of the case is scheduled for June 10. It鈥檚 unclear whether the state will challenge the ruling, but it has done so in previous cases involving trans youth and their families in Texas. 四虎影院 has reached out to the OAG for comment, but they have yet to respond.
Elena Rivera is 四虎影院鈥檚 health reporter. Got a tip? Email Elena at erivera@kera.org
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