A mother in Texas has been investigated as an 'alleged perpetrator' of child abuse for allowing her 16-year-old transgender son to take hormone therapy.
According to reports, the 16-year-old attempted suicide the same day Texas governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to investigate families like his, who are allowing their children to undergo gender transition procedures.
Child Protection Services visited the family’s home a few weeks later to investigate the mother’s decision to allow her son to have the therapy, and not the suicide attempt.
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The boy and mother, known by the pseudonyms of Antonio and Mirabel Voe in court documents – along with two other families and the LGBTQ rights organisation PFLAG – this week sued the state of Texas.
“They live in fear of what this directive means for their future,” said lawyer Gonzalez-Pagan, who is representing the families, told VICE News.
“And ultimately, what it means for there not to be access to the care that Mirabel knows is necessary for [Antonio] to feel affirmed, happy, and able to be himself.”
Antonio told his mum he was transgender in 2020, when he began to socially transition while undergoing puberty. Something which 'still caused him significant distress', according to court documents.
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He started taking puberty blockers in the summer of 2021, before being prescribed with hormone therapy by his doctor in January – a month before Abbott’s order.
It is said that Antonio’s 'mood and anxiety improved, and he looked forward to a brighter future' after undergoing the treatment, but Abbot’s order 'upended' the lives of his family.
On the same day as the order was announced, February 22, Antonio attempted suicide, as reported in the court documents.
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“In any conversation that involves suicide, it’s a complex phenomenon,” added Gonzalez-Pagan. “But certainly, here we have seen how the directive from Gov. Abbott prevents the very care and affirmation that has been shown to reduce the incidence of suicide among trans youth.”
He survived the suicide attempt and was transferred to an outpatient psychiatric facility on February 24 after a spell in hospital.
It was at the facility where staff told Antonio’s mother that they may have to report the family for 'child abuse' under Abbott’s directive, which was adopted by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Antonio is not alone in his suicide attempt, with it being reported that nearly 20 percent of young transgender people attempted suicide in 2021, according to a survey undertaken by LGBTQ youth mental health resource the Trevor Project, last month.
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“Transgender and nonbinary youth already report the highest rates of anxiety and depression symptoms,” said Dr. Myeshia Price, a senior research scientist at the Trevor Project.
“They’re aware of this legislation being put forth, and it’s definitely impacting their mental health.”
The family has since been visited by a CPS investigator and Antonio’s mother is still under investigation. However, a twist in the case has seen a Travis County judge grant a restraining order in the case, pausing the state’s investigation into PFLAG members like the Voes and the other families names in the lawsuits.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Mindline Trans+ on 0300 330 5468. The line is open 8pm–midnight Mondays and Fridays and is run by trans volunteers
James Hilsum