This article was originally published by Lucy from Naarm. You can find the original article here.
Please carefully consider your needs when reading the following story about suicide and self-harm. If this material raises concerns for you contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or see other ways you can seek help in Australia, US, UK or internationally. —Lucy
Victorian Coroner Ingrid Giles handed down findings and recommendations regarding a coronial inquest into the suicides of five transgender young women today, Bridget Flack, Natalie Wilson, Heather Pierard, Matt Byrne and AS (pseudonym), making significant recommendations across the board. Key recommendations included an increase in funding for public transgender healthcare and for the RACGP to develop training for GPs in gender-affirming hormone care.
UK-based SPLC-designated Hate Group Genspect attempted to undermine the inquest into the deaths.
”I received correspondence following the close of evidence from an organisation named ‘Genspect’ seeking further evidence to be called at Inquest from clinicians who support, [among other things], a different approach to providing care for children and young people facing gender-related distress” the Victorian Coroner wrote in her findings.
Unsurprisingly, their demands for so-called experts to be called who do not believe in the efficacy of gender-affirming healthcare were submitted late to the court.
However, the coroner still addressed it. “There was nothing to suggest [..] from any witness from any organisation – which included a wide range of entities across the health services spectrum, including those providing gender-affirming care, the Victorian Department of Health, Victoria’s Chief Psychiatrist, and representatives from peak professional bodies – that the approach to gender-affirming care for children and young people in Victoria warranted further examination in the manner urged upon me by Genspect.”
“Conversely, the positive impacts in providing gender-affirming care to this cohort were highlighted by a number of witnesses, including Mrs Bailey Nation-Ingle from the Department of Health.”
“Having considered in detail the studies and reports referred to in correspondence by Genspect, I was not of the view that it was necessary or in the interests of justice to call further evidence on this topic.” the Coroner continued.
Ultimately speaking to the right of transgender people to healthcare, the Coroner handed down findings.
“In 2024, there must be ‘no wrong door’ for TGD people to receive healthcare or referrals to healthcare that affirm their identity, dignity and personhood. This is the right of every TGD person attending upon a GP or any other clinician in Victoria, and I intend to make a series of recommendations on this front.”
The Coroner recommended the Department of Health increase transgender healthcare funding to reduce wait times in the public system, which can, in some cases, extend as far as two years, and increase LGBTQIA+ mental health care funding that is culturally safe for transgender people.
The coroner additionally recommended that the RACGP implement training for GP’s wishing to provide healthcare to trans and gender-diverse individuals, noting that it is appropriate for most types of care to occur in the context of your local GP.
If this material raises concerns for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or find other ways you can seek help in Australia, the US, the UK, or internationally. —Lucy
