Texas House passes law banning child sex change–1 Democrat breaks ranks to vote with GOP

Texas moved one step closer to banning puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex change surgeries in minors on Friday when the Texas House of Representatives voted 91-49 to advance SB 14, with Shawn Thierry being the lone Democrat to break ranks and vote in favor of the bill. 

SB 14 now heads back to the Senate for a final vote after a minor amendment was added in the House. The bill is expected to pass the Senate and adavance forward to Governor Greg Abbott's desk. 

The bill bans procedures "For the purpose of transitioning a child’s biological sex as determined by the sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous profiles of the child or affirming the child’s perception of the child’s sex if that perception is inconsistent with the child’s biological sex."

It goes on to state that a physician may not perform a procedure that sterilizes a child, perform a mastectomy a child, nor "provide, prescribe, administer, or dispense any of the following prescription drugs that induce transient or permanent infertility" including the use of puberty blockers. It does however make exceptions in the case of a minor experiencing precocious puberty, and for disorders of sex development. 

In a statement, Rep Shawn Thierry (D) said, "Today, I voted to raise the age to 18 for children to receive GnRH-analogs (ie 'puberty blockers'), cross sex hormones, and to undergo irreversible surgeries when experiencing gender dysphoria," she said. "After hearing from constituents, listening to stakeholders, and reviewing the scientific data in this country and around the globe, I am assured that this position is rooted in sound policy which supports the health, development and overall well-being of minors."

"As a nation most adults have been united in at least one basic premise –– that children deserve special protections and exceptional treatment under the law," Rep Thierry said. "It is only honest to admit and accept that little is known about the long-term effects of prescribing taking GnRH-analogs and cross sex hormones to children… What we do know is that these drugs can cause harm to a child’s health."