Austin City Council Votes 10-1 to Defy SB 14, Protect Transgender Healthcare

May 2, 2024, 09:43 PM

The Austin City Council voted 10-1 on Thursday to extend new protections for transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming care, specifically targeting the recent implementation of Senate Bill 14, which bans such care for minors in Texas. The council's decision effectively makes enforcement of this state law a lower priority within the city, marking Austin as the first city in Texas to take such a stance. This move prompted a statement from Attorney General Ken Paxton, who criticized the council's threat of noncompliance with Texas law.