Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Texas AG Targets Puberty-Blockers, Pride Week In Schools
The Texas Tribune: Ken Paxton Investigates Pharmaceutical Companies Over Puberty Blockers
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating two pharmaceutical companies — Endo Pharmaceuticals and AbbVie Inc. — for allegedly advertising puberty blockers to children and their parents to treat gender dysphoria rather than the other medical conditions they are approved to treat. Paxton opened the investigation in December and filed civil investigative demands with the two companies on Thursday. This is the latest move in an ongoing effort by Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott to limit access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender teens in Texas. (Klibanoff, 3/24)
The Washington Post: It’s Pride Week In Austin Schools. The Texas AG Says That’s Illegal
Students in the Austin Independent School District can collect Pride flags and pronoun buttons this week as they celebrate LGBTQ students and work toward creating an inclusive environment. It’s the eighth year the district has held Pride Week, which includes lessons on diversity and acceptance. But on Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) sent a letter to the school district saying the celebrations constituted “sex education.” Without consent from parents, the district’s Pride Week is “breaking state law,” he said. (Mark, 3/24)
And more on transgender health care —
CNN: Arizona Lawmakers Pass Bill Outlawing Gender-Affirming Treatment For Trans Youth
Lawmakers in Arizona approved two bills on Thursday targeting transgender youth in the state, including one that would restrict access to gender-affirming health care. The measures now will go to Republican Gov. Doug Ducey for his signature. The state's Republican-led House approved the health care ban on Thursday by 31-26. The bill had passed the state's GOP-controlled Senate by 16-12 in February. (Cole, 3/24)
Oklahoman: Oklahoma Looks To Ban Transgender Athletes From Female Sports
Gov. Kevin Stitt will get the final say on a bill that would block transgender athletes from competing in girls or women's sports. Republicans in the Oklahoma Senate gave final passage to legislation that would bar transgender athletes at K-12 schools or universities from participating in female sports teams or individual women's sporting events. Senate Bill 2, known as the "Save Women's Sports Act" passed the House last year and cleared the Senate on Thursday with Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, crossing party lines to vote in favor. (Forman, 3/24)
CBS News: Teachers Speak Out Against Florida's "Parental Rights In Education" Bill
Some of America's most highly regarded teachers are speaking out against Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill, and a growing number of LGBTQ teachers and allies across the country are worried about the impact this and similar legislation could have on students. ... Kentucky's 2022 Teacher of the Year, Willie Carver, drafted an open letter, signed by more than 200 teachers who've been honored by their state as a current or former Teacher of the Year, condemning policies that place "politics, misconceptions, teacher comfort, and other concepts above the needs of students." The signatories represent about 50 states and territories. (Jones II, 3/24)
Salt Lake Tribune: Growing Latter-Day Saint Support For LGBTQ Rights Tops The National Average
Support among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for LGBTQ rights, including same-sex marriage, has increased noticeably since 2015, mirroring trends across U.S. society generally, according to a recent study by the Public Religion Research Institute. Based on interviews conducted online and by phone of a nationally representative sample of more than 22,000 adults, the report uncovered an overall increase of 8 percentage points among Americans between 2015 and 2021. Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) now favor nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. Latter-day Saints’ backing for these same protections jumped by 12 percentage points during the same period to exceed the national average at 84%. (Kemsley, 3/24)
