<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Gender identity and sex: Find out how they differ based on science and spectrum"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">When it comes to protecting the rights of <a target="_blank" href="/story/life/health-wellness/2021/11/18/how-transgender-community-can-avoid-consuming-negative-media/8637323002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">trans youth</a> in <a target="_blank" href="/story/news/politics/2022/02/23/texas-gov-greg-abbott-gender-affirming-care-child-abuse/6910608001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Texas</a>, stars are getting on their digital soapboxes. </p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Texas Gov. Greg Abbott <a target="_blank" href="/story/news/politics/2022/02/23/texas-gov-greg-abbott-gender-affirming-care-child-abuse/6910608001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">issued a directive Tuesday</a> ordering the state child welfare agency to investigate reports of “gender-transitioning procedures” as child abuse.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The move comes one day after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a written opinion defining gender-affirming care as child abuse under state laws – and months after state lawmakers considered but did not pass similar bills when the Legislature met last year.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Transgender advocates accused Abbott and Paxton of twisting state law to meet their political goals and biases, particularly after efforts to define gender-affirming medical care as child abuse died last year in the Texas House after passage in the Senate.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Many celebrities, including <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/books/2021/09/17/gabrielle-union-broken-after-dwyane-wade-fathered-child-memoir/8370794002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Gabrielle Union</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/02/22/black-history-month-kerry-washington-embodies-trailblazers-instagram/6890793001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Kerry Washington</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/10/21/jamie-lee-curtis-talks-trans-daughter-ruby-learning-journey/6115911001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Jamie Lee Curtis</a>, have also joined the growing conversation on social media. </p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong class="gnt_ar_b_al">Background:</strong><a target="_blank" href="/story/news/politics/2022/02/23/texas-gov-greg-abbott-gender-affirming-care-child-abuse/6910608001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Texas governor orders state agency to treat gender-affirming care as child abuse</a></p><figure class="gnt_em gnt_em_img"><img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:437px" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/02/24/USAT/231fe8b2-9d5f-4770-a1da-e48d15c785cd-Untitled_design.jpg?width=660&height=437&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/02/24/USAT/231fe8b2-9d5f-4770-a1da-e48d15c785cd-Untitled_design.jpg?width=1320&height=874&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Celebrities are speaking out on the Texas governor's order, which targets children and families who have sought gender-affirming medical care."/></figure><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><a target="_blank" href="/story/life/health-wellness/2021/11/18/how-transgender-community-can-avoid-consuming-negative-media/8637323002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a"><strong>The trans community can't stop reading horrific news.</strong> There's a way to turn away.</a></p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2">Gabrielle Union, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tegan and Sara, more call out Gov. Greg Abbott's gender care order</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">“This is where we are,” Union <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/itsgabrielleu/status/1496539672876621827?s=20&t=wWLxDmN8lYCCCRfX7h8W4w" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">tweeted Tuesday.</a> “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?”</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Trans inclusivity is a cause close to Union's heart. The "Bring It On"...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/02/23/celebrities-react-texas-governor-greg-abbott-trans-directive-order/6915472001/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
