Overview

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a nonbinding opinion stating that court orders to change sex markers on state-issued IDs are not legally valid.
• Paxton directed state agencies to retroactively revert any sex marker changes made based on court orders, a move advocates say could endanger transgender Texans' safety.
• This directive follows a series of state actions restricting transgender rights, including bans on transition-related care for minors and restrictions on trans athletes in schools.
• Critics, including legal experts and LGBTQ advocates, argue that Paxton's opinion lacks legal authority and could lead to costly legal challenges for the state.
• The directive aligns with a broader trend of restrictive policies in Texas and other states, with concerns raised about its implications for public safety and legal precedent.