Hundreds rally outside Parliament House to protest LNP trans youth ban
“It is a long process with many obstacles … I worry that if there had been additional obstacles or it had been an even longer process, we may not have [my trans daughter] Skye with us.”
Parents Reverend Ruth and Sarah (front centre) were among those to speak about how gender affirming care has helped their trans children.Credit: Courtney Kruk
Sarah said she was fortunate to have the funds to seek private care for her daughter, who has been on puberty blockers for the past 10 months, but was angry that others did not have access to treatment.
“No one should be denied life-saving care because they cannot afford it … I can’t imagine the mental anguish we would face if my daughter was forced to stop treatment,” she said.
“She is becoming her true self.”
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Hannah, the mother of two trans children, commended the Queensland Children’s Hospital Gender Service for their “thorough and careful” approach.
“This journey through the medical system has been thorough and comprehensive, requiring multiple appointments and assessments over several years,” Hannah said.
“The process is rigorous, professional, medically informed, and above all else, safe … only after extensive evaluations [with gender clinic staff] was the possibility of puberty blockers even considered.”
She added that she believed politicians “fundamentally misunderstand or wilfully ignore” the depth of decision-making by all parties involved in providing and choosing this healthcare.
The LNP’s decision has been widely condemned, with experts warning it could cause harm to vulnerable children. Credit: Courtney Kruk
“The notion that we as parents can simply walk into a clinic and request medication for our children is entirely false and grossly misrepresents the careful, measured approach that healthcare professionals take.”
Queensland’s decision to ban hormone treatment has been criticised by several high-profile groups, including the Queensland Human Rights Commission, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian Medical Association Queensland, and Equality Australia, each warning that denying access to services could put young people at risk and cause immeasurable trauma.
Signs held by trans attendees and parents of trans children. Credit: Courtney Kruk
Despite the federal government announcing a national review into the prescription of puberty blockers and “cross-sex” hormones last month, the Queensland government has decided to continue with its own.
