Thousands to Rally for Trans Youth Against Queensland Ban on Puberty Blockers

Thousands across every capital city are expected to rally behind trans youth in a desperate attempt to reverse the Queensland government's ban on puberty blockers, following concerns for gender-affirming therapy in children.

The Trans Justice Project, along with several other advocacy groups, has marked Saturday, February 8, as "The National Day of Action", calling on people to join them in rallying for accessible and affordable gender-affirming care for everyone who needs it.

"By taking to the streets across the country we can pressure the Queensland government to reverse the ban, stop the attacks on trans youth, and protect access to this life-changing and life-saving health care," the Trans Justice Project wrote in a statement.

Just last week, the Queensland government issued a statewide ban on all puberty blocking agents and hormone therapies for children under 18 suffering from gender dysphoria issues.

The Trans Justice Project stated that the banning of hormone therapy by Health Minister Tim Nicholls is a "politically motivated attack" which undermines the right of trans youth to grow up with the freedom to be themselves.

"The Minister's decision will halt vital, evidence-based healthcare for 491 young people and their families - many who have been on the waiting list for months, and even years," they added.

"This affects all of us. Governments cannot be allowed to ban vital, evidence-based healthcare solely on the basis of their political beliefs."

Rallies are expected to be held in major locations including Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Wollongong, Newcastle, Broome, Geelong, Ballarat, Wagga Wagga, Shepparton, Busselton, Armidale, Merimbula, and Lismore.

Furthermore, federal Health Minister Mark Butler recently announced Australia's peak medical body would be conducting a review into gender-affirming care for minors, with interim advice on the use of puberty blockers expected by mid-2026.

A 2024 report, dubbed the Cass Review, first prompted the United Kingdom to take action against gender identity clinics prescribing puberty blockers to children.

The commissioned report, led by Hilary Cass, found a lack of reliable evidence to make clinical decisions or for families and children to make informed choices in the gender dysphoria space.

The report also indicated that for many young people, a medical pathway may not be the best approach to manage gender-related distress and recommended "extreme caution" before administering hormone treatments to children under 16.

Senior child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer questioned the integrity of the Queensland government's review, asserting its necessity given the publication of the Cass Review in April 2024.

"One of the things we've seen with gender medicine is a complete failure of institutions to maintain their integrity. I think Mark Butler's announcement is grossly inadequate," Dr Spencer told Sky News Australia's Peta Credlin.

Dr Spencer expressed confusion over the government's "18-month timeframe" for an interim report when there have been "reputable, well-conducted, systematic reviews" indicating a lack of benefits for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

"Mark Butler should be taking action right now to protect Australian children from harm, but he doesn't seem to want to," Dr Spencer lamented.