A newly proposed bill in Texas, House Bill 3399—referred to locally as the “Texas trans ban”—aims to eliminate gender-affirming healthcare for people of all ages. If passed, it would mark a significant escalation in restrictions on transgender rights in the state.
Filed on Wednesday (26 February), HB3399 proposes amendments to existing state law to prohibit hormone therapy, gender-reassignment surgeries, and other forms of gender-affirming medical care.
A Comprehensive Ban on Gender-Affirming Healthcare
Introduced by Republican lawmaker Brent Money, the bill explicitly seeks to prevent what it terms “transitioning a person’s biological sex,” defining sex by a person’s sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous hormone profiles.
Under the bill, gender-affirming surgeries such as vasectomies, hysterectomies, oophorectomies, metoidioplasties, orchiectomies, penectomies, phalloplasties, and vaginoplasties would be completely outlawed if performed for transition purposes.
Additionally, healthcare professionals who prescribe hormone suppressants—including estrogen, testosterone, or puberty blockers—could face severe penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
LGBTQ+ Advocates Fight Back Against Anti-Trans Legislation
The bill has sparked widespread concern among LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it is part of an ongoing attack on transgender rights in Texas and beyond.
In 2023, several human rights organisations filed complaints to the United Nations in response to the state’s growing number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws. This includes the ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which came into effect on 1 September 2023 following the passage of a Senate bill prohibiting private healthcare providers from prescribing puberty blockers to under-18s.
Brent Money has previously expressed strong anti-trans views. In April 2024, he voiced support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s stance that transgender individuals should be barred from teaching in public schools. He has also publicly stated his belief that gender is a “biological binary” and that those who disagree are “deluded or lying.”
A Wider Assault on LGBTQ+ Rights
Texas has become a key battleground in the national push against LGBTQ+ rights. Since the beginning of 2025, the state has introduced 59 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, among the highest numbers in the country.
These measures include barring transgender students from competing in school sports; rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public institutions; and preventing teachers from supporting transgender students in their transitions.
The broader legislative trend is concerning for LGBTQ+ rights groups. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 456 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the U.S. in 2025 alone. This follows 533 bills proposed in 2024 (49 of which became law) and 510 in 2023 (with 88 passing).
With HB3399, Texas continues to lead efforts to roll back protections for transgender and non-binary individuals, prompting fierce opposition from advocacy groups fighting to preserve access to gender-affirming healthcare.
 seeks to ban gender-affirming healthcare for people of all ages, including hormone therapy and surgeries. LGBTQ+ advocates warn of increasing attacks on trans rights.){kind=link}