Transgender children and their families publicly address the new DFPS Commissioner

DALLAS – This was the first time that transgender children, their families and allies were able to publicly approach the new commissioner of the Department of Family and Protection.

They want Stephanie Muth to order that any open child abuse investigations involving a parent who provides gender-affirming care for their child be closed.

Transgender Texans and their supporters spoke out at a rare public DFPS meeting in Austin on Friday.

Over a year ago, Gove. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton ordered the department to launch an investigation into child abuse in families of trans children who seek gender-affirming treatment. The case went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court.

Dozens of people testified during the public comment period on behalf of trans teens who can receive gender-affirming care.

“What would make me feel safe is if I could live safely in my house with my parents who love me and are now afraid that I will be taken away from them even though they have done nothing wrong,” she said. teenager Cass Crawford.

“We hope this leadership change will be a page turn in a dark chapter in DFPS history,” said Brad Pritchett of Equality Texas.

And because the testimony was part of the public discussion and not part of the agenda, the commissioner was unable to answer any questions or make statements.

As of November last year, Equality Texas estimated that there were about a dozen cases open.

FOX 4 has contacted the DFPS for updated figures and comments. But at the moment we have not received a response yet.