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Elliot Page, Celebs Pledge Support For Trans Youth In Texas
The Umbrella Academy star said he was “horrified” by the declaration that gender-affirming care is “child abuse.”
Elliot Page pledged his support to trans youth and their families after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton labeled gender-affirming surgery as "child abuse" under existing law in the state. Governor Greg Abbott and his supporters had earlier failed to pass a bill that would have made providing gender-affirming care to minors a felony.
"There is no doubt that these procedures are 'abuse' under Texas law, and thus must be halted," Paxton said in a statement.
"I am horrified by the inhumane and downright dangerous declarations by the Texas Governor and Attorney General." Page said in a statement. "Trans youth deserve gender-affirming care and to be able to live their true, authentic selves without fear and oppression. I stand with trans youth and their families."
Paxton wrote in an opinion issued in his role as attorney general that gender-affirming care "when performed on children, can legally constitute child abuse" under the Texas Family Code.
He later threatened those who provide gender-affirming care with prosecution.
"I'll do everything I can to protect against those who take advantage of and harm young Texans," he tweeted.
\u201cSex-change operations and puberty blockers prescribed to kids is \u201cchild abuse\u201d under Texas law.\n\nThese procedures are monstrous and tragic. \u201cI\u2019ll do everything I can to protect against those who take advantage of and harm young Texans. https://t.co/AOoO5NNmyC\u201d— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@Attorney General Ken Paxton) 1645479040
Page was not alone in calling out the new interpretation of Texas law by Abbott and Paxton, with several high-profile celebrities joining in the chorus of support for targeted trans youth and those who seek to support them.
"This is where we are," tweeted Gabrielle Union, wife of former NBA star Dwyane Wade and mother of trans youth activist Zaya Wade. "We shot past dangerous and horrific a long time ago.
\u201cThis is where we are. We shot past dangerous and horrific a long time ago. The rubber has hit the road so who is standing shoulder to shoulder in this fight? Who truly gives a sh*t and whose on that performative bs? Let's see.\u201d— Gabrielle Union (@Gabrielle Union) 1645637837
Former Out100 honoree Jen Richards called out Paxton for ignoring the scientific consensus on the importance of providing gender-affirming care to trans youth.
"Texas has declared that the kind of care recommended by every major medical and pediatric association, with decades of proof of efficacy, and provided by doctors in full cooperation with parents...is child abuse," Richards posted.
\u201cTexas has declared that the kind of care recommended by every major medical and pediatric association, with decades of proof of efficacy, and provided by doctors in full cooperation with parents \u2026 is child abuse.\u201d— Jen Richards (@Jen Richards) 1645557171
Even Wonder Woman herself Lynda Carter stood up with her support and words of encouragement for trans kids and their families.
"To all the trans kids and families who love them, in Texas and around the world: stay strong and keep fighting for your freedom," Carter wrote.
\u201cThere have always been trans kids. This is nothing new. Letting them live their truth will save their lives. \n\nTo all the trans kids and families who love them, in Texas and around the world: stay strong and keep fighting for your freedom.\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1645661012
Linzy Foster, the parent of an 8-year-old trans daughter in Austin, had even harsher words for Paxton, telling NBC News she questioned his motives for the attack on trans youth.
"He wants to get re-elected and they're using trans kids as prey, as pawns to get re-elected," Foster said of Paxton. "It feels like harassment and abuse, and it feels like it's all being done at the expense of our kids and it doesn't make sense."
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