Texas Supreme Court Bans Gender-Affirming Care

The Texas Supreme Court has upheld a statewide ban on gender-affirming medical treatments for minors in an 8-1 decision, overturning a lower court's ruling that had temporarily blocked the law. The ban includes hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and transition surgeries, with the majority stating that the legislature made a rational policy choice to limit these procedures for children. Justice Debra Lehrmann was the sole dissenter, arguing that the decision infringes on parental rights and constitutional protections. This ruling aligns Texas with at least 25 other states with similar bans. Meanwhile, in a separate case, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated an injunction on Idaho's abortion ban, emphasizing the need for emergency medical abortions while the issue is reviewed further.