AFPI Applauds Texas AG Opinion Solidifying Ban on Social Transitions for Children

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) applauds the recent opinion issued by the Texas Attorney General clarifying that Texas' ban on gender transitions for children applies to mental health professionals. If they facilitate hormone treatments or sex transition surgeries for children, they risk losing their license or being criminally prosecuted for child abuse. The opinion quoted the argument presented by AFPI’s brief submitted in response to the state’s request for public comment, which explained that mental health professionals serve as the “clinical gatekeepers whose assessments and recommendations initiate the interventions” prohibited by the state law.

AFPI chief legal affairs officer Leigh Ann O’Neill explained that the opinion protects parents’ rights and safeguards children’s access to legitimate mental health support by penalizing mental health counselors who push radical gender ideology on minors:

“Children must be protected from confusion when seeking mental health counselling. They deserve support, not to be pushed towards decisions whose irreversible and life-threatening consequences they cannot fully understand. This opinion helps ensure that mental health professionals who push gender transitions on vulnerable children will face consequences.”

AFPI submitted its brief on behalf of the Association for Mental Health Professionals (AMHP), which was the only mental health association in Texas that publicly responded to the request for comments by defending children and parents from gender-affirming care.

AMHP Co-Founder Kathleen Mills, LPC-S, CIMHP, praised the decision:

“It's time for the mental health community to reclaim our sanity and our professionalism. Our communities deserve at least that, especially our children. AFPI was instrumental in bringing about the desired conclusion on Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-1508. On behalf of the AMHP membership and the counselors nationwide who are trying to restore the profession, well done!”

AMHP Co-Founder Phillip Crum agreed:

“The America First Policy Institute did a fantastic job of taking materials we provided, combining it with their own research, and making a highly technical case for the Opinion that was eventually delivered. The work AFPI did will directly translate into saving the lives of innocent children in the State of Texas.”

The Texas Attorney General’s opinion solidifies Texas’ role as one of the first states to ban mental health professionals from issuing the letters of assessment necessary for physicians to transition minors. AFPI commends this effort to protect the rights of parents and protect children from being influenced to deny biological reality.