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People with Disability Australia, the national peak body representing LGBTQIA+ people with disability, has condemned the Queensland Government's decision to suspend the provision of puberty blockers and hormone therapies to minors seeking gender-affirming care in state health facilities.
The state’s decision undermines the Australian Government's National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People. The plan explicitly calls for equitable access to gender-affirming healthcare, evidence-based care, and inclusive health services for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
By suspending gender affirming health care, the Queensland Government is jeopardising the wellbeing of young people, including those with disability, who already face significant barriers to inclusive healthcare.
President of People with Disability Australia, Trinity Ford, says young people, trans or disabled, must have the right to make decisions about their own bodies without political interference.
“Transgender and intersex people with disability already face enough barriers to accessing the healthcare we need – and for kids it’s even harder. This public health moratorium increases barriers to care by an order of magnitude.” said PWDA President Trinity Ford.
Ford explains the banning puberty blockers means it is forcing children to undergo irreversible changes to their secondary sex characteristics, instead of buying them and their families time to decide.
“It flaunts established medical evidence and puts young people, including those with disability, at serious risk of harm. It must be reversed immediately,” Ms Ford said.
Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith agrees.
“Young people with disability know what they need. They should be supported by their families and medical teams to make healthcare decisions without interference from politicians,” they said.
People with Disability Australia urges the Queensland Government to reverse the policy and engage with medical professionals, transgender people, and disability organisations to uphold the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ young people.