Texas to Drop Legal Challenges Regarding Gender-Affirming Treatment by El Paso Physician
In a surprising turn of events, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has withdrawn a lawsuit against Dr. Hector Granados, an El Paso-based pediatric endocrinologist. The lawsuit was initially filed due to allegations that Dr. Granados violated a statewide ban on gender-affirming care for transgender children.
Dr. Granados, a staunch advocate for his patients' rights, has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He claims he never heard from Paxton's office until being served the lawsuit. Upon conclusion of its investigation, the attorney general's office found that Dr. Granados had not violated any relevant provision of state law.
Conservative Texas legislators view the law and its enforcement as critical to the safety, health, and happiness of children. Paxton, a high-profile, national-level conservative leader, has positioned himself as an outspoken ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. His office plans to bring the full force of the law against "delusional, left-wing medical professionals guilty of forcing 'gender' insanity on our children."
However, not everyone agrees with Paxton's stance. Harper Seldin, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, believes that the lawsuits against doctors like Granados are part of the Texas AG's campaign to intimidate medical providers. Seldin argues that the time doctors spend defending themselves in court can take an enormous toll on their well-being.
The law generally prohibits transgender youth under 18 from receiving treatments involving hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and sex-reassignment surgeries. Dr. Granados was accused of falsifying medical records and circumventing prohibitions on gender-affirming care.
Paxton's office will continue pressing related claims against Dr. May Lau and Dr. M. Brett Cooper, who were accused by Ken Paxton of unlawfully defying the state ban on gender identity treatments for transgender youth. However, there are no available search results indicating that the Office of the Attorney General has conducted any immediate investigations against Dr. May Lau and Dr. M. Brett Cooper.
The withdrawal of the lawsuit against Dr. Granados raises questions about the future of similar cases. While the debate over gender-affirming care for minors continues, it is clear that the issue remains a contentious one in Texas politics.
