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.
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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.