Dallas AP —Texas has sued a Dallas doctor over accusations of providing gender-affirming care to youths, marking one of the first times a state has sought to enforce recent bans driven by Republicans. The Texas law prevents transgender people under 18 from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers and transition surgeries, though surgical procedures are rarely performed on children. Children’s Health said in a statement that it “follows and adheres to all state health care laws.”At least 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and most of those states face lawsuits. The lawsuit comes just weeks before an election in which Republicans have used support of gender-affirming health care as a way to attack their opponents. Greg Abbott, who was the first governor to order the investigation of families of transgender minors who receive gender-affirming care.

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Persons: Ken Paxton, May Lau, Harper Seldin, ”, Seldin, ” Seldin, Lau, ” Paxton, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Colin Allred, Greg Abbott Organizations: Dallas AP, Texas, Republicans, Republican Texas, HIV, UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT Southwestern, Children’s Health, Republican, Democratic, Republican Gov Locations: Dallas, Texas, Collin County, The Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Montana . New Hampshire