This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/08/thousands-march-at-trans-youth-rallies-opposing-queensland-puberty-blockers-ban-organiser-says
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Thousands march at trans youth rallies opposing Queensland puberty blockers ban, organiser says | Thousands march at trans youth rallies opposing Queensland puberty blockers ban, organiser says |
(about 1 hour later) | |
‘A lot of parents are feeling really angry and frustrated with the government,’ director of Trans Justice Project says | |
Thousands of people attended rallies across Australia on Saturday to show solidarity with transgender youth and their families, after the Queensland government’s decision to pause essential healthcare for trans minors. | Thousands of people attended rallies across Australia on Saturday to show solidarity with transgender youth and their families, after the Queensland government’s decision to pause essential healthcare for trans minors. |
Twenty rallies were held, including a crowd of 5,000 gathering in both Brisbane and Melbourne, 2500 in Sydney and more than 200 in Cairns, lead organiser Jackie Turner said. | |
“We have shown today, with the thousands of people that have turned out … that people stand with the trans community and want to see gender-affirming care made accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it,” said Turner, who is also director of the Trans Justice Project. | “We have shown today, with the thousands of people that have turned out … that people stand with the trans community and want to see gender-affirming care made accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it,” said Turner, who is also director of the Trans Justice Project. |
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email | Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email |
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email | Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email |
“The Queensland government must urgently reinstate healthcare for trans youth.” | “The Queensland government must urgently reinstate healthcare for trans youth.” |
Last week Queensland’s Liberal National government put an immediate pause on new patients under 18 accessing gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapies, in the state’s public health system. | Last week Queensland’s Liberal National government put an immediate pause on new patients under 18 accessing gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapies, in the state’s public health system. |
The state’s health minister, Tim Nicholls, said the ban would continue while the government undertook a review into the evidence for stage one and two hormone therapies for children with gender dysphoria. | The state’s health minister, Tim Nicholls, said the ban would continue while the government undertook a review into the evidence for stage one and two hormone therapies for children with gender dysphoria. |
Peak medical bodies, including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the Australian Medical Association Queensland, condemned the ban. | Peak medical bodies, including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the Australian Medical Association Queensland, condemned the ban. |
The decision will halt evidence-based healthcare for 491 young people and their families. | The decision will halt evidence-based healthcare for 491 young people and their families. |
Brisbane mum Hannah, who did not want her last name used, said the change in policy had been “incredibly stressful” for her family. | Brisbane mum Hannah, who did not want her last name used, said the change in policy had been “incredibly stressful” for her family. |
“My 15-year-old has been on puberty blockers for four years and was just days away from going on HRT,” she said in a statement. | “My 15-year-old has been on puberty blockers for four years and was just days away from going on HRT,” she said in a statement. |
“Now that can’t happen. Like all teenagers, she just wants to look like her friends at school and express who she really is.” | “Now that can’t happen. Like all teenagers, she just wants to look like her friends at school and express who she really is.” |
Governments can’t be allowed to ban evidence-based healthcare solely on the basis of their political beliefs, Turner said. | Governments can’t be allowed to ban evidence-based healthcare solely on the basis of their political beliefs, Turner said. |
“A lot of parents are feeling really angry and frustrated with the government,” she said. | “A lot of parents are feeling really angry and frustrated with the government,” she said. |
Turner said the campaign would continue to pressure MPs across the country to stand up for the “freedom, justice and equality” of trans people. | Turner said the campaign would continue to pressure MPs across the country to stand up for the “freedom, justice and equality” of trans people. |
“What I hope trans youth take away from this day is that you are not alone, and we’ve got your backs.” | “What I hope trans youth take away from this day is that you are not alone, and we’ve got your backs.” |
Previous version
1
Next version