Quote:AUSTIN, Texas – The state of Texas is suing the Obama administration over its directive to U.S. public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity, Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday.

The lawsuit appears to make Texas the first state to take the federal government to court over the directive handed down to schools earlier this month.

Texas and other conservative states have vowed defiance, calling the guidance a threat to safety while being accused of discrimination by supporters of transgender rights. Texas' lieutenant governor has previously said the state is willing to forfeit $10 billion in federal education dollars rather than comply.