AUSTIN, Texas — In an effort to protect transgender youth from Texas’ ban on gender transition care, the Austin City Council on Thursday passed a resolution that seeks to deprioritize the ban — also known as Senate Bill 14.

What You Need To Know

  • In an effort to protect transgender youth from Texas’ ban on gender transition care, the Austin City Council on Thursday passed a resolution that seeks to deprioritize the ban
  • The resolution aims to make investigations into gender transition a low priority for the city. It also says city funding should not be used for such investigations into either transgender people or any organizations assisting them
  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quickly denounced the move in a statement Thursday
  • Senate Bill 14 went into effect in September and would block transgender minors under age 18 from accessing gender transition health care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy

The resolution aims to make investigations into gender transition care a low priority for the city. It also says city funding should not be used for such investigations into either transgender people or any organizations assisting them.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quickly denounced the move in a statement Thursday.

“The resolution is no more than an empty political statement. Each clause directing the City Manager to defy SB 14 is prefaced with the nonsensical qualification, ‘except to the extent required by law.’ In other words, the Austin City Council would order the City Manager and city employees to follow the law while pretending to say the exact opposite," Paxton wrote. 

Paxton went on to say he would “act against” localities that implement policies to provide gender transition care to minors.

“The Attorney General will enforce the laws of Texas against any physician or health care provider who violates Texas Health and Safety Code § 161.702. Additionally, the Attorney General stands ready to act against any locality that adopts an ordinance or implements a policy or practice that provides, aids, or assists individuals or entities providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries to children diagnosed with gender dysphoria or otherwise seeking to medically change their biological sex," Paxton wrote. 

Council members José "Chito" Vela, District 4, Zo Qadri, District 9, Vanessa Fuentes, District 2, Ryan Alter, District 5 and José Velásquez, District 3, co-authored the resolution. According to KUT, council member Mackenzie Kelly, District 6, was the only member to vote against the resolution, citing “costly litigation” from the state.

At Thursday’s Austin City Council meeting where the resolution was voted on and passed, Vela voiced the council’s support for trans people.

“Trans people deserve the right to self-determination. Our state has forced them and their medical providers into hiding and that is wrong. Austin should not be a party to that any more than we legally have to be,” he said. “I sincerely hope this resolution will provide some small comfort to the trans residents of Austin. We are on your side, we will not support the trampling of your rights and we are proud and grateful to have you here in Austin with us,” Vela said.

Senate Bill 14 went into effect in September and would block transgender minors under age 18 from accessing gender transition health care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Doctors who offer these treatments are subject to losing their medical license under the law.

The move follows protests at the Texas Capitol where LGBTQ+ people and advocates rallied against the ban.