This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
This Saturday, 15 Protect Trans Youth rallies are taking place nationwide, in a National Day of Action after QLD’s trans hormone therapy ban.
It has been less than a week since the Trans Justice Project called for a national day of action protecting trans youth.
This call-out came following the Queensland government’s announcement of an immediate trans hormone therapy ban.
“The banning of hormone therapy by Health Minister Tim Nicholls is a politically motivated attack,”
“That undermines the right of trans youth to grow up happy, healthy, and with the freedom to be themselves.
“This affects all of us.” Trans Justice Project said,
“Governments cannot be allowed to ban vital, evidence-based healthcare solely on the basis of their political beliefs.
“By taking to the streets across the country we can pressure the Queensland government to reverse the ban,
“To stop the attacks on trans youth, and protect access to this life-changing and life-saving health care.”
Everyone is welcome at the family-friendly events.
They will be colourful and passionately calling to protect access to this life-changing and life-saving health care.
This is a manufactured emergency.
Health Minister Nicholls ban prevents more than 400 young Queenslanders on lengthy waitlists from accessing treatment.
This decision has been widely criticised as dangerous and ideologically motivated by peak healthcare bodies.
Transgender advocates as well as the Australian Medical Association have widely criticised the decision.
Federal health minister Mark Butler has since announced a National Health and Medical Research Council review into gender-affirming healthcare.
Butler urged the Queensland government to suspend their state review and leave it to the NHMRC.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has doubled down saying the review will proceed.
Justifying the statewide hormone ban by raising ‘allegations of non-compliance with clinical guidelines’ at one clinic in North Queensland.
The Cairns and Hinterland Health and Hospital Service has clarified that a review identified ‘process issues’ with the clinic.
There was no evidence of patient harm.
CEO of Transcend Australia Jeremy Wiggins called on the Queensland Government to immediately lift the cruel and unnecessary restrictions in Croakey.
“These policies are not about patient safety,”
“They are ideological decisions designed to restrict access to care,
“A 14-year-old was in the middle of a carefully monitored medical treatment plan,
“One that had taken years of assessments, discussions, and medical oversight.
“Then, without warning, the State Government put an immediate “pause” on new gender-affirming hormone therapy prescriptions.
“Now, this teenager and hundreds of others like them are left in limbo, unsure of what the future holds for their health and wellbeing.
“Families are panicked, clinicians are frustrated, and trans young people – already at significantly higher risk of depression and suicide – are being pushed into crisis.
“This is a manufactured emergency, and it must be reversed immediately.
At least 491 trans young people in Queensland have had their medical care stripped away by the immediate halt to gender-affirming care.
Find your local Protect Trans Youth rally.
Starting in most major states, the Trans Justice Project’s call to arms has seen further rallies coordinated in regional centres as well.
While many are taking place at 10 am, some are later in the day.
Find your local rally below.
Protect Trans Youth in ACT
Canberra 10 am @ Rg Menzies House, 59 Blackall St, Barton
Protect Trans Youth in New South Wales
Newcastle – 10 am @ Civic Park
Sydney – 10 am @ Pride Square, 326 King St, Newtown
Wagga Wagga – 10 am @ The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston Street
Wollongong – 10 am @ Wollongong Crown Street Mall, 162-164 Crown St
Protect Trans Youth in Queensland
Brisbane – 10 am @ Speakers Corner, 2A George St, Brisbane City
Car1ns – 10am @ Shield Street Mall
Protect Trans Youth in South Australia
Adelaide – 10 am @ Parliament House, North Terrace
Protect Trans Youth in Victoria
Ballarat – 10 am @ Town Hall, 225 Sturt Street
Geelong – 10 am @ Gheringhap St, Geelong
Melbourne – 10 am @ State Library Victoria, 32s Swanston St, Melbourne
Shepparton – 10 am @ Maude St, Maul
Protect Trans Youth in Western Australia
Broome – 5:30 pm @ Guwarri Town Beach
Busselton – 4 pm @ Mitchell Park
Perth – 4 pm @ Northbridge Piazza, 142 James St, Northbridge
You can find out more about the rallies, and the Trans Justice Project here.
