Texas Governor Greg Abbott in late February informed his state’s Department of Family and Protective Services to review whether or not a gender-affirming treatment for transgender children in his state constituted child abuse. The directive was based on a letter by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton where he expressed a non-binding opinion suggesting that such medical treatment was tantamount to abuse. Although Abbott and Paxton’s moves are not legally binding, Texas Children’s Hospital has just announced it will stop hormone therapies for transgender children in response. And, families of transgender kids are understandably worried about child services separating them.

Rising Up with Sonali is a radio and television show that brings progressive news coverage rooted in gender and racial justice to a wide audience. Rising Up With Sonali was built on the foundation of Sonali Kolhatkar's earlier show, Uprising, which became the longest-running drive-time radio show on KPFK in Los Angeles hosted by a woman. RUS airs on Free Speech TV every weekday.

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Department of Family gender-affirming Protective Services Rising Up with Sonali Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Texas Governor Greg Abbott