Elliot Page ‘Horrified’ by Texas Officials Declaring Trans Health Care Is Child Abuse: ‘Inhumane’
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Elliot Page is “horrified” by Texas government officials declaring that medical care for transgender youth is child abuse. The “Juno” actor spoke out after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton proclaimed Monday that hormone therapy, puberty blockers and other types of gender-affirming health care for trans youth are forms of chid abuse.
“There is no doubt that these procedures are ‘abuse’ under Texas law, and thus must be halted,” Paxton said in a news release. “The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has a responsibility to act accordingly. I’ll do everything I can to protect those who take advantage of and harm young Texans.”
More from Variety
Paxton added on Twitter that gender-affirming procedures for children “are monstrous and tragic.” His views were later supported by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who called on state agencies to conduct “prompt and thorough investigations” into the use of gender-affirming care for trans youth.
Abbott sent a letter to Texas’ Department of Family and Protective Services claiming gender-affirming treatments “can legally constitute child abuse under several provisions” of state law. He also noted that Texas medical workers must report instances of child abuse and that current law “provides criminal penalties for failure to report such child abuse.”
“I am horrified by the inhumane and downright dangerous declarations by the Texas Governor and Attorney General,” Elliot Page said in a statement to Variety. “Trans youth deserve gender-affirming care and to be able to live their true, authentic selves without fear and oppression. I stand with trans youth and their families.”
“The White Lotus” and “Insecure” actor Natasha Rothwell responded to Abbott’s Twitter post by saying, “Fuck you.” Gabrielle Union used her Twitter page to urge her followers to get involved now in opposing Abbott and Paxton’s anti-trans beliefs.
“This is where we are,” Union wrote. “We shot past dangerous and horrific a long time ago. The rubber has hit the road so who is standing shoulder to shoulder in this fight? Who truly gives a shit and whose on that performative [bullshit]? Let’s see.”
Jen Richards, a prominent trans actor whose credits include “Better Things” and “Mrs. Fletcher,” wrote on Twitter, “Texas has declared that the kind of care recommended by every major medical and pediatric association, with decades of proof of efficacy, and provided by doctors in full cooperation with parents…is child abuse.”
“We know hat the result will be,” Richards continued. “Because trans people exist, have always existed, and will always exists, it just means that trans youth will be more at risk, more vulnerable, at home and in schools. They will be kicked out or run away and suicide rates will spike.”
Referring to Abbott and Paxton, Richard added, “These people are seriously sick and project all their anxieties and obsessions on to us. We’re out here just trying to live our lives and they cant stop thinking about us. Our bodies. Our sex. All their efforts are like twisted fan-fiction horror. It’s dark and twisted.”
Read more Hollywood reactions below.
Texas has declared that the kind of care recommended by every major medical and pediatric association, with decades of proof of efficacy, and provided by doctors in full cooperation with parents … is child abuse. https://t.co/ynBcLGiUeK
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) February 22, 2022
This is where we are. We shot past dangerous and horrific a long time ago. The rubber has hit the road so who is standing shoulder to shoulder in this fight? Who truly gives a sh*t and whose on that performative bs? Let’s see. https://t.co/WEFH0xETGw
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 23, 2022
There have always been trans kids. This is nothing new. Letting them live their truth will save their lives.
To all the trans kids and families who love them, in Texas and around the world: stay strong and keep fighting for your freedom.
— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) February 24, 2022
Fuck Greg Abbott. And fuck every single adult obsessively fixating on hurting trans youth instead of offering love, support, and respect. You are monsters. Every single one of you. Fuck off already you dinosaurs.
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) February 23, 2022
I have gay friends who as kids, were beaten by parents trying to flog away the gay. One, is the son of a now dead former FL State Senator. He berated & beat my friend mercilessly & shoved his head into the toilet bowl to “straighten” him out. I hope legislators reconsider this.🌈 https://t.co/UswX0i8T7D
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) February 22, 2022
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.