Parents, patients, doctors weigh in on hormone freeze debate for trans kids

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Some parents are describing the Queensland government's ban on puberty blockers and hormones for new young trans patients as "devastating" and "ideological". The LNP says the freeze is necessary while a review is done into the evidence underpinning the treatments. This has drawn concern from medical groups and condemnation from those affected.

Transcript

00:00At a suburban home, a teenager's bedroom is filled with small treasures.

00:09The 14-year-old was born a boy, but in year 7 declared she was a girl.

00:15We knew absolutely nothing about trans people, what it's like to be trans, how to support

00:20her, what is transitioning.

00:23For another parent, a watershed moment came even earlier.

00:27Her child, who we're calling Carly, asked if she could change gender to a girl at the

00:33age of 8.

00:34In 2020, she was referred to the Queensland Children's Gender Service, where a team provides

00:40assessment and support.

00:42It's been a long process, there's nothing fast about it.

00:46Five years later, Carly was on the cusp of starting medication to block puberty, when

00:52Queensland's health minister made a snap announcement.

00:56A health directive banned doctors in the public system from starting young gender patients

01:04on puberty blockers or hormones pending a review.

01:08Those already prescribed the drugs are able to continue, but it's left more than 400 patients

01:14on the waiting list and others seeking treatment in limbo.

01:19It meant that we could not get puberty blockers through the public system.

01:23So we have to go private, and that's expensive.

01:27Tim Nichols announced an independent probe of the medical evidence for using the drugs.

01:32He cited restrictions overseas, issues with a service in Cairns, and a desire to safeguard

01:39children.

01:40They are lying when they say that they are concerned about the health and safety of my

01:44child, because they are not.

01:46It is ideology, and I've had enough of it.

01:50We thought we were on track, that she could be who she wanted to be, and they just pulled

01:55the rug out from under us.

01:57Dr Fiona Bishop has treated trans patients for more than 20 years.

02:02I think it's despicable.

02:04It was a decision that was made without any consultation with the community who were affected,

02:10without any consultation with the clinicians or the services providing that care.

02:17The freeze has drawn broad concern, from medical bodies to mental health and human

02:21rights commissioners.

02:22But the government's move has some supporters, including an academic psychiatrist who says

02:29the current approach does not adequately consider whether mental health issues are a factor.

02:34I think the evidence does suggest more that gender-affirming care is likely to harm kids

02:40than it is likely to help them, and I think that that's completely unethical.

02:45It's disputed by those who work in the field.

02:48The evidence is overwhelmingly in favour of gender-affirming care.

02:52The health minister, Tim Nichols, hasn't responded to invitations to meet with those affected.

02:58In a statement, his office says all stakeholders are encouraged to take part in the review.

03:04He's yet to announce who will lead it.

03:07Bet Benjamin is a support worker and radio presenter who transitioned in her 40s after

03:13decades of unhappiness.

03:14I wish so much for trans kids that we could all find greater acceptance, and I don't want

03:21any child to ever have to go through what I went through.

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