Republican Party-led states were met with a pair of setbacks in the ongoing clash over LGBT rights, particularly on the increasingly contentious debates over gender identity issues related to children.

The first blow came Monday when an appeals court in Texas reinstated an order that prevented the state from following through on a controversial order from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to investigate parents who seek gender-affirming care for their children.

According to the court’s order, the injunction is not related to the merits of the case but instead is a measure that is "necessary to maintain the status quo and preserve the rights of all parties."

Later that day, Indiana GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed a bill that would have banned transgender females from taking part in girls' sports in schools. Despite running in an overwhelmingly conservative state with a Republican legislative majority, Holcomb justified his decision by insisting that it was likely the ruling would be met with legal challenges.

However, he also poked a hole in the central argument of the bill that allowing transgender girls to compete in female sports would be unfair.

"It implies that the goals of consistency and fairness in competitive female sports are not currently being met," Holcomb added. "After thorough review, I find no evidence to support either claim even if I support the overall goal."

Fights over transgender rights are a lightning rod within Republican politics, especially going into the 2022 midterm elections. Abbott only recently survived a grueling primary where he was challenged from the right by firebrand conservatives in the state.

The battles over gender affirmation treatment and the rights of transgender student atheletes have not been without dissension within the GOP. According to a poll by the left-leaning Data For Progress polling firm, 46% of Republicans polled between Feb. 25-27 said they felt the government should stay out of these types of decisions, slightly beating out the 43% who prefer a ban.

In Idaho Senate Republicans killed a bill that was aimed at criminalizing gender-affirming care provided to minors. Republicans cited a desire to uphold parental rights.

On the question of transgender athletes, the GOP has been more successful in enacting bans with Iowa and South Dakota, approving legislation banning transgender women and girls from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender at schools in their states.

Eight more states are also considering a ban.

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