More than 100 doctors, academics, lawyers, politicians and so-called ‘detransitioners’ are calling for the Albanese government to pause the use of puberty blockers for children in Australia.
In a letter to Anthony Albanese, the group of signatories – which includes more than 40 doctors and child psychiatrists – warned that the growing use of gender transition procedures on children was a “potential public health disaster of generational significance” that warranted an independent, public investigation.
They accused Australian politicians and the medical community of ignoring and of even undermining the findings of international reviews – including the 2024 Cass Review in the United Kingdom – that have been critical of youth gender medicine practices and led to some countries introducing bans or restrictions.
Signatories include Charles Sturt University professor of public ethics Clive Hamilton, former prime minister Tony Abbott, suspended Queensland Health child psychiatrist Jillian Spencer, outspoken psychiatrist Andrew Amos and failed Liberal candidate Katherine Deves.
“Recent developments globally have exposed serious concerns about the ‘gender-affirming’ approach to treating gender-confused youth and there is now a bipartisan consensus in many countries that major changes to practice in this area are needed,’’ the letter sent to the Prime Minister late on Wednesday reads.
“Medical interventions including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries can cause irreversible harm, including physiological damage (bone density loss, infertility, sexual dysfunction), issues concerning brain development and social and relational difficulties.
“While lifelong impacts are yet to be fully understood, regret is real, and a growing number of detransitioners believe their gender distress masked other comorbidities, including autism, untreated sexual trauma, and discomfort with their sexuality.”
The call for a federal-led inquiry, with the co-operation of the state and territory governments, comes just days after the Queensland government ordered an immediate freeze on hormone therapy for new patients under 18.
Source: https://archive.md/QIpdX#selection-877.0-893.27