Trans and gender-diverse healthcare continues to be targeted for political purposes, with a “pause” on gender affirming care announced in QLD, quickly followed by a federal review.
In WA, Liberal Leader Libby Mettam has promised to ban medical treatment for the purpose of gender affirmation if they win the 2025 state election, and will hold an inquiry into current practices and research. However, WA Labor Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has rejected calls for a new review, noting that a review of the state’s Gender Diversity Service in 2021 found it to be sound and appropriate.
There is a strong medical consensus in Australia regarding the importance of providing healthcare access to gender diverse individuals, including young people.
Australian guidelines prioritise holistic, individualised, and person-centred care through a world-leading multidisciplinary model of care.
Sam Gibbings, CEO of Transfolk WA, argues that “medical decisions should be made in hospitals and clinics, not parliamentary offices. They must be evidence-based, centring the lived experiences of patients and the expert knowledge of clinicians. Everyone deserves access to healthcare without political influence.”
Young gender-diverse people in particular, she says, “should be protected from the harms of politicisation.” Previously in WA, young people experienced healthcare disruptions due to knee-jerk reactions to disinformation campaigns. The withdrawal of care had serious and distressing consequences, with some young people tragically taking their own lives. Timely access to gender-affirming care is critical for reducing harm and ensuring the well-being of young people.
Chloe Clements, Youth Pride Network Coordinator, points to their recent report on the WA healthcare system, highlighting the often-overlooked challenges trans and gender-diverse young people face in accessing appropriate care. “Young people
have shared the serious mental health impacts of these barriers, with devastating losses already being felt due to inadequate care. Long waitlists, financial barriers, lack of resources, and restrictive policies are standing in their way. What’s even more concerning is that young people under 18 have little control over their own care, yet deserve the same access to life-saving treatments as anyone else.”
CEO of Rainbow Futures WA, Misty Farquhar OAM, is “disappointed to see bad faith actors trying to score political points with the lives of young people. Like most Australians, we do not want politicians and bigots to be making clinical decisions for us – we want experts and clinicians doing that. The performers who put themselves
out there as experts undermine medical consensus and overall trust in the health professions and system. We have no appetite to compromise our world-leading healthcare standards,” says Farquhar.
As attacks on gender-affirming healthcare increase in the lead-up to the state and federal elections, the available community supports are at capacity, and desperately need additional resources to manage the consequences of this harmful rhetoric.
However, Gibbings assures community members that they are not alone during this difficult time. “We understand the range of difficult emotions people may be feeling.
Some of us may be feeling anxious, scared, or confused, while others may be feeling angry, frustrated, or betrayed. Transfolk WA are committed to providing support and resources to help you navigate these challenges.”
We call on everyone – including our elected representatives – to join us in support of trans and gender diverse young people and their families thriving and flourishing, free from discrimination and political interference.
