OAN’s Brooke Mallory
5:10pm – Monday, March 25, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office was blocked from requesting information and records from PFLAG. PFLAG is a national organization that supports LGBTQ individuals, especially youth with gender dysphoria who seek “gender-affirming care” such as hormones, surgery, and other medical procedures.
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“Gender-affirming care is a supportive form of health care. It consists of a range of services, including medical, surgical, mental health, and non-medical services for transgender and non-binary people.” I am. Department of Population Affairs (Opa).
Travis County District Court Judge Amy Clark Meacham said Monday that if the organization were forced to allow Paxton’s office access to patients and caregivers, it would result in “immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or injury.” PFLAG and its members would suffer the same consequences,” and granted the preliminary injunction. , the identity of members seeking hormones and other services for minors.
“PFLAG is America’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and those who love them,” the group says on its website.
The new order will allow the organization to maintain the privacy of its information.
PFLAG CEO Brian K. Bond said in a statement: “The court reaffirmed that the attorney general cannot second-step around the law with outrageous requests for personal information. PFLAG families across the state received additional protection today.”
Paxton’s office filed a civil claim against PFLAG on February 9th.th To create records, communications, and data regarding PFLAG’s support for families with children who identify as transgender.
Paxton’s office said the request for PFLAG records was part of an investigation into health care workers who provided hormones to children in violation of Senate Bill 14, which bans the treatment in the state. .
In response to the investigation’s demands, PFLAG filed a lawsuit on February 28th.this seeking relief and a temporary restraining order to protect the privacy of its members.
“PFLAG’s information is highly relevant to the Attorney General’s investigation into whether health care providers are committing insurance fraud to circumvent SB 14…PFLAG has refused to submit a single document. “Instead, they filed charges against the Attorney General for the apparent purpose of concealing information.” The Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.
PFLAG obtained a temporary restraining order on March 1 with assistance from Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Transgender Law Center.cent.
Until public hearing on March 25th.thwhen Meacham granted an injunction on the same basis, the order became effective.
“This court’s decision is an important step toward allowing PFLAG and its members to come together and advocate for each other, free from the threat of retaliation or intimidation from the attorney general,” said ACLU of Texas attorney Chloe Kemp. ” he said.
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