Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Biden Administration officials. The suit aims to block a new rule that redefines "gender dysphoria" as a disability under federal law.
In May 2024, the Biden Administration adopted a final rule that classifies "gender dysphoria" as a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This redefinition contradicts existing federal disability law, which explicitly states that "gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders," are not considered disabilities.
"The Biden Administration is once again abusing executive action to sidestep federal law and force unscientific, unfounded gender ideology onto the public," said Attorney General Paxton. "Texas is suing because HHS has no authority to unilaterally rewrite statutory definitions and classify 'gender dysphoria' as a disability."
To read the filing, click here.