Texas AG Ken Paxton Sues Doctor for Providing Gender-Affirming Care to Minors

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against a second physician, alleging violations of state law regarding the provision of gender-affirming medical care to minors, an increasingly contentious issue in the state.

Dr. Hector Granados, a pediatric endocrinologist based in El Paso, is specifically named in the lawsuit. The attorney general accuses him of inappropriately prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to over 20 minors suffering from gender dysphoria, a condition where an individual’s experienced or expressed gender differs from their assigned gender at birth.

In an effort to restrict access to gender-affirming treatments for minors, Texas passed Senate Bill 14 in 2023, outlawing medical providers from issuing prescriptions for puberty blockers and hormones as part of a medical transition.

Earlier this month, Paxton filed a very similar lawsuit against Dr. May Lau, an adolescent medicine physician and associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. The lawsuits describe the targeted doctors as “radical gender activists” who are allegedly circumventing the newly established sanctions. Both lawsuits aim for significant financial penalties and the revocation of the physicians’ medical licenses.

“Granados’s practices, publications, and presentations reveal an entrenched commitment to a gender ideology that desires to medically transition the biological sex of children or affirm the belief that a child’s gender identity is inconsistent with their biological sex,” Paxton articulated in the lawsuit submitted on Tuesday.

Granados did not provide an immediate response to inquiries for comment, leaving many to speculate about his stance amidst the legal turmoil.

The lawsuit claims Granados not only violated Senate Bill 14, but also engaged in fraudulent practices by continuing to prescribe puberty blockers under the pretense that such treatments were necessary for cases of precocious puberty, which refers to the early onset of sexual development.

The minors involved in Granados’s case range in age from 12 to 17, with most of them being 15 or older, highlighting the lawsuit’s focus on young individuals during a particularly formative time in their lives.

In August 2015, Granados played a pivotal role in opening El Paso’s first clinic dedicated to the treatment of transgender children and adolescents through the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. At that time, the clinic was celebrated for addressing a crucial need in the region.

“There’s a huge need for the care of trans youths; very few physicians have been trained to provide such care,” Granados explained to the Texas Tech student newspaper at that time. “It was crucial for me to establish this clinic, and we have witnessed remarkable results.”

Currently, Granados operates within private practice, as detailed on his professional website, according to his website. Until 2019, he held a position as an assistant professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso medical school.

Although Granados practices in El Paso County, the lawsuit has been filed in Kaufman County, situated southeast of Dallas, where one of the 21 patients named in the lawsuit resides.

Disclosure: Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

**Interview with Dr. Veronica Morales,‌ Child Psychologist and LGBTQ+ Advocate**

**Editor:** Thank you ‍for joining us today, Dr. Morales. The recent legal actions taken by ⁤Texas Attorney ⁣General Ken Paxton against Dr. Hector Granados for⁤ allegedly ‌violating laws surrounding gender-affirming care for minors have certainly raised eyebrows. What are your initial thoughts on this ​situation?

**Dr. Morales:** Thank you for having me. This is a deeply troubling‍ situation that reflects​ a broader trend of politicizing healthcare for transgender youth. ‌The legal ⁢actions against Dr. Granados ⁣and similar physicians seem to ⁣be part of a concerted effort to limit ⁤access to essential medical care for minors with gender dysphoria. This affects not only the medical community but, most importantly, the health and well-being of these young people.

**Editor:** The lawsuits describe⁣ the targeted doctors ​as “radical gender activists.” How do you see this characterization‌ affecting⁣ the professionals with legitimate practices in this field?

**Dr. Morales:** ⁣Labeling dedicated professionals as “radical activists” is ​harmful and misleading. Many pediatric endocrinologists and mental health professionals who work with transgender youth do so because they⁢ are guided by evidence-based practices and a commitment to the⁣ well-being of their patients.⁢ This type of language⁤ can instill⁣ fear among healthcare ‍providers, potentially leading them to avoid necessary treatments and discussions with‍ their‍ patients. It’s essential to differentiate⁣ between ⁣providing care based‍ on medical guidelines and any subjectively political agenda.

**Editor:** The lawsuit claims that⁤ Dr. Granados engaged in fraudulent practices by modifying treatment plans. In your ​opinion, how should such allegations be substantiated to ensure that they are not simply political maneuvers?

**Dr. Morales:**⁣ Allegations of fraud should always be based on ​concrete ⁤evidence, not speculation or politically ‍motivated narratives. It is crucial for any investigation ‍to ⁣thoroughly adhere‍ to medical standards and ethical guidelines. Transparency in the process is essential,⁤ as is a careful examination of patient histories and treatment outcomes. If the claims made by the Attorney General do not hold up to scrutiny, it can undermine trust between healthcare providers and the‍ communities they serve.

**Editor:** How do you‌ foresee these legal actions impacting the mental health of ‌the minors and their families involved?

**Dr. Morales:** The increased scrutiny and potential disruptions in care can lead to heightened anxiety and distress ​for young people ​already⁤ facing significant challenges. Many of these minors rely on access to ​gender-affirming care‍ as part of their mental health treatment. Without it, we could see a ​rise in mental health crises, including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts among those who may⁤ feel their identity is being challenged or⁢ invalidated by legislative actions.

**Editor:** Lastly, what message do you hope to convey to‌ the families affected by these developments?

**Dr. Morales:** I want families to know that they are not alone. There are many advocates and healthcare providers who support ‌gender-affirming care and are committed to ​fighting for their rights. ⁤It’s important that families seek out informed and compassionate resources, and that they ⁣continue to advocate⁢ for their​ children’s health and well-being. Their​ voices matter, and collective action can lead to change.

**Editor:** Thank you once⁤ again, Dr. Morales, ⁣for sharing your insights on ‍this ​pressing issue.

**Dr. Morales:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue these conversations and promote⁣ understanding ⁤around the ‌complexities of gender identity and youth ‌care.