On 29 October the Queensland Government issued a new directive to ban state-funded hospitals and health services from prescribing puberty blockers and gender affirming hormone treatment to trans and gender diverse young people under the age of 18, hours after a previous freeze had been deemed unlawful.
This news will be distressing for many LGBTIQA+ young people, and their family and communities, both in and outside of Queensland.
headspace does not support this ban.
As an organisation committed to evidence-based care for all young people across Australia, we know the importance of gender-affirming care in reducing mental health distress in trans and gender diverse people.
Transgender and gender diverse young people experience significantly greater risk of depression, anxiety, suicide and self-harm compared to their cisgender peers.
The benefits of gender affirming care can include reduced depression and anxiety, and lower rates of self-harm and suicidality, as well as a stronger sense of identity and belonging.
headspace remains committed to supporting, and advocating for, access to gender affirming care.
We will continue to contribute to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) review into national guidelines for the care of trans and gender diverse young people, commissioned by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
