Twitter Reacts To Gov. Abbott’s Investigation Into Transgender Medical Treatments As ‘Child Abuse’

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott faced backlash on Twitter after ordering state agencies to investigate reports of transgender children receiving gender-affirming treatment as child abuse.

On Tuesday, Abbott wrote a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in which he referenced an opinion by the state Attorney General Ken Paxton that stated certain gender-affirming treatments, including puberty-blocking medications and gender reassignment surgery, given to transgender children “can legally constitute child abuse.”

In his letter, Abbott suggested adults could face legal consequences for having knowledge of such procedures given to a child and failing to report them.

“Texas law imposes reporting requirements upon all licensed professionals who have direct contact with children who may be subject to such abuse, including doctors, nurses, and teachers, and provides criminal penalties for failure to report such child abuse,” Abbott wrote.

On Wednesday, Abbott’s name began trending on Twitter with people slamming the republican governor for giving an order that could limit the types of gender-affirming treatments transgender children can receive.

“This is incredibly evil. Trans rights are human rights. Greg Abbott is a monster,” one person wrote.

Another person suggested Abbott’s latest order was further ruining the state’s government. “Greg Abbott is just purely an evil human being with no respect for a human life that isn’t a straight white male,” the individual wrote. ​​

“I cannot believe how absolutely BACKWARDS the Texas government is. Things just keep getting worse.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Family and Protective Services told a local outlet that the agency “will follow Texas law as explained [by Paxton’s opinion].”

Some gender-affirming surgeries have been considered “child abuse” by the agency since August following alleged pressure for recognition from Abbott.

It remains unclear how Abbott’s letter will immediately affect transgender children as well as their parents, doctors, and teachers.