Dallas Pediatrician Sued for Alleged Breaches of Texas Law Restricting Gender Transition Treatments for Minors

Dallas Pediatrician Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Violations of Texas Gender Transition Law

Dallas, Texas – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against Dr. May C. Lau, a pediatrician in Dallas, accusing her of violating a 2023 Texas law that restricts gender transition treatment for minors. This represents the state’s first action under the new legislation, according to Paxton.

Background of the Lawsuit

Dr. Lau is affiliated with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she serves as an associate professor in pediatrics. She has experience treating young patients at Children’s Health in Dallas, a facility connected to the university. Notably, she worked at a clinic focused on transgender adolescents that was shut down in 2021 due to pressure from the Texas government.

The state’s lawsuit accuses Dr. Lau of administering hormone replacement therapy to 21 minors between October 2023 and August 2024. It claims that she “falsified medical records, prescriptions, and billing records” to disguise the nature of the treatments. Specifically, the suit alleges that she misrepresented testosterone prescriptions as treatment for issues other than **gender transitioning**.

The New Texas Law

The law in question makes it illegal for healthcare providers to “affirm the child’s perception of the child’s sex if that perception is inconsistent with the child’s biological sex.” While physicians are permitted to prescribe similar treatments for other medical issues, such as precocious puberty, the law strictly prohibits transitioning therapies for minors.

Under this new law, healthcare professionals who offer treatments aimed at changing a minor’s gender identity may face having their medical licenses revoked. It also allows the state to impose financial penalties, with the lawsuit seeking $10,000 for each alleged violation by Dr. Lau.

Reactions from Healthcare and Legal Experts

In response to the lawsuit, Children’s Health stated that it adheres to all relevant state healthcare laws, stressing that its “top priority is the health and well-being of our patients.” Meanwhile, neither Dr. Lau nor the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have publicly commented on the lawsuit.

Harper Seldin, a staff attorney for the A.C.L.U., criticized the lawsuit, calling it an effort to intimidate healthcare providers. “Doctors should not have to fear being targeted by the government when using their best medical judgment,” Seldin remarked. This reflects a growing national debate over how states regulate medical treatments for transgender minors, with Texas joining 25 other states in enacting similar bans since 2021.

Looking Ahead

The Texas Supreme Court upheld the law as constitutional in June, igniting questions about its implications. The U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to hear a separate challenge concerning a law in Tennessee that similarly restricts certain medical treatments for transgender minors. A.C.L.U. representatives express hope that the justices will see these legislative measures as overreach.

This lawsuit against Dr. Lau raises significant concerns about the future of gender-affirming care in Texas and across the nation. Experts suggest that the enforcement actions and legal restrictions could impact how healthcare providers approach care for transgender minors, potentially leading to a chilling effect on doctors’ willingness to offer necessary treatments.

Conclusion

As this legal battle unfolds, the focus remains on the intersection of healthcare, legal regulations, and the rights of minors exploring their gender identity. Both supporters and opponents of the law continue to engage in spirited discussions about the best ways to address the complex needs of young people navigating gender issues in today’s society.