SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has joined nearly 100 other criminal justice leaders across the United States in an amicus brief that supports a lawsuit against a Texas plan to prosecute parents who allow their transgender children to receive gender-affirming care.

The amicus brief was filed one day before Texas District Judge Amy Clark Meachum issued a temporary injunction preventing the state from enforcing Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive compelling the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate the parents of transgender youth.

The Associated Press reported that the Friday injunction broadens Meachum’s earlier order blocking the state’s investigation of the parents of one transgender teenager. 

Abbott’s directive, where it came from

Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed his state’s department of family and protective services to investigate and potentially prosecute these parents for child abuse.

Abbott’s directive came on the heels of an opinion released by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which said that allowing children to receive transition care such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery is akin to child abuse.

In the brief, the signatories argue that the governor’s mandate would be harmful to transgender children.

“We cannot allow our justice system to be weaponized to further erode the public trust,” said Sim Gill. “The prosecution of parents seeking care for their kids is beyond the pale and would do nothing but divide communities.

Gill also praised Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who announced he would veto a bill passed in the final minutes of the 2022 Legislative Session. The Transgender Youth Sports Ban would have prevented transgender athletes from competing in Utah schools.

“Utah is not Texas, our values of acceptance, compassion and understanding should guide our public policy, not fear. We should not criminalize private health decisions between a doctor and patient.”-DA Sim Gilll https://t.co/me1Jm6AaLa

— Salt Lake County DA (@SLCountyDA) March 11, 2022

The justice leaders filed the amicus brief in the 353rd District Court of Texas.  

Related reading: Gov. Cox to veto bill turned ban on transgender girls in sports

The signatories said that such a mandate has the potential to “erode public trust in the integrity of the justice system.” They also said it could inhibit law enforcement’s ability to keep communities safe. And it could open the door to government intrusions into medical care.

Miriam Krinsky, a former prosecutor and Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution, organized the brief, calling the Texas mandate “unthinkable.”

 

 

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