Under-18s won’t be able to access puberty blockers or hormone treatment in Queensland until the Government completes a review of gender-affirming care in the state.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the decision followed an alleged incident at a public hospital in Cairns, where he said some children were prescribed puberty blockers and hormone treatment without proper consultation.
LGBTQ+ advocates have suggested the move will be “catastrophic for young trans people”.
Gender-affirming care
temporarily stop or delay the hormonal changes that occur during adolescence. They are often the first stage of gender-affirming care.
Puberty blockers pause the body’s production of testosterone or oestrogen. This can prevent changes like menstruation, breast development, voice changes, and facial hair. The medication’s effects are reversible.
The Australian Journal of General Practice saysaims to “align physical appearance with gender identity,” by changing the body’s testosterone or oestrogen levels.
Cairns clinic
Last May, a 12-year-old was allegedly prescribed puberty blockers by Cairns Sexual Health Service without the appropriate level of medical guidance.
National guidelines state adolescents need to receive medical, mental health, and sexual health advice before commencing treatment.
It’s alleged the service gave “unauthorised” gender care to at least 42 children, 17 of whom received either puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
Pause
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Cairns Sexual Health Servicefor children in November.
The Queensland Government has now temporarily barred new treatments for under-18s while it undertakes a state-wide review of hormone therapies for teenagers.
Existing treatments will continue for around 550 children receiving gender-affirming care.
Nichollsthe Cairns incident “raised serious concerns” about the prescription of hormone therapies across Queensland.
He pointed to recent restrictions imposed around the world, including afor children in the UK.
Nicholls added an independent review would provide a “robust investigation of best practice in this field”.
The adolescent pause will stay in place until the Government considers the review, which is due by June.
Response
Head of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Australia, Anna Brown, said the Government’s pause would be “.
Brown said a recent review in the state found gender-affirming care practices were “safe and evidence-based”.
An Opposition spokesperson told TDA the measure would impact some of the most vulnerable people in Queensland.
“It should be a medical discussion and decision between an individual and their doctors — not one made by politicians.”
