Abbott Directs State Agencies to Reject Gender Identity Politics

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has directed Texas state agencies to reject gender identity politics. The order comes after recent controversy after Texas faced accusations of promoting "leftist gender ideology."

Governor Abbott sent a letter to chairmen and executive directors of Texas agencies, affirming that "the State of Texas recognizes only two sexes—male and female and sex discrimination consists in treating a member of one sex less favorably than the other, absent some pertinent difference.”

He criticized recent efforts by Travis County courts to allow individuals to change their sex designation on birth certificates and driver's licenses based on gender identity. He argued that such ruling were not legally binding because they contradicted both state law and biological reality.

“These instructions were not grounded in any recognized state cause of action, were issued in proceedings where no agency was a party, and contradicted both statutory law and biological reality,” Governor Abbott wrote.

In the letter, he praised the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for refusing to comply with these rulings. As well, he linked his directive to President Donald Trump’s (R) recent executive order titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.

Quoting President Trump's order, Governor Abbott emphasized that “[i]t is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”

He made clear that his directive was not a suggestion but a binding order, writing, “As the Chief Executive Officer of the State, I direct you to follow state and federal law. All Texas agencies must ensure that agency rules, internal policies, employment practices, and other actions comply with the law and the biological reality that there are only two sexes—male and female.”