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Greens' response to the LNP's ban on hormone therapy and gender health treatment

The Queensland LNP government has banned any new patients under the age of 18 from being able to access hormone treatments or puberty blockers.

Queensland Greens MP, Michael Berkman

“An independent evaluation found that there are appropriate safeguards in place. This is essential treatment for people born intersex and for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Hormone therapy and puberty blockers save lives.

“Last year’s evaluation of the state’s gender services found that these services provide safe, evidence-based care. The panel recommended expanding these services to meet the demand for quality care, not to ban them.

“The LNP thinks that ten years is old enough to go to prison but that a seventeen year old and their family can’t decide what health care they need.

“If there are shortcomings with Queensland Children’s Gender Service it is because the LNP and Labor before them have not implemented the recommendations of the independent evaluation. Gender services for young people are oversubscribed and the independent panel called for expanded services, not a ban.

“Instead of fixing the housing crisis, the climate crisis, and the legitimate failures in our underfunded health care system, the LNP is fixated on culture war crap.

“Instead of getting on with governing for the people of Queensland, the right-wing extremists in the LNP would rather make a boogeyman out of the small percentage of children for whom this treatment is not only appropriate, but lifesaving.”

 

Background

An independent evaluation of the State’s public gender services commissioned by the government last year found that 

  • Queensland Children’s Gender Service provides safe, evidence-based care that is consistent with national and international guidelines.
  • That gender services offered by the state needed to be bolstered and better funded to meet demand

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