McALLEN — Gov. Greg Abbott classified the Obama administration’s transgender policy as an overreach Thursday at a book signing here.
When asked about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s calling for the resignation of the Ft. Worth superintendent who issued rules to accommodate for transgender students, Abbott said Patrick was “exercising his First Amendment free speech rights.”
Texas and 10 other states filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Obama administration for its policy to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.
“The legal action that has been taken is the action that defends the constitution from presidential overreach,” Abbott said in his seven-question, roughly five-minute press event before his book signing.
Several people waiting in line said they were not well versed enough in Obama’s transgender policy to have much to say.
A crux of the lawsuit is the Obama administration is overreaching from a national level to state level.
More than 30 protesters marched on the sidewalk outside Abbott’s book signing. They waved flags, chanted in unison and held up signs.
Some of the signs read “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” and “Make Texas Equal Again.”
Four women stood nearby holding pro-life signs.
They wouldn’t give their names, but said they believe in a “traditional” marriage “between a man and a woman.”
J.T. Troche, a transgender military veteran who “served in silence” during the Persian Gulf War, said this lawsuit from Texas against the Obama administration is “inappropriate.”
Troche was told that Abbott said Patrick exercised his right of free speech in dealing with Fort Worth.
“Does he (Abbott) just determine who’s exercising free speech and who isn’t?” Troche said. “We’re also exercising free speech. But it shouldn’t stop with the lieutenant governor. Free speech shouldn’t stop with anyone.”
