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(my own views)
I think “clarity” provided by yesterday’s ruling simply emphasises how much of a negative outlier UK is in relation to providing best-practice care to transgender and gender-diverse children and young people
This ruling causes harm https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/children-who-want-puberty-blockers-must-understand-effects-high-court-rules
I think “clarity” provided by yesterday’s ruling simply emphasises how much of a negative outlier UK is in relation to providing best-practice care to transgender and gender-diverse children and young people
This ruling causes harm https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/children-who-want-puberty-blockers-must-understand-effects-high-court-rules
The (US) Endocrine Society says:
“Medical intervention for transgender individuals (including hormone therapy) is effective, relatively safe (when appropriately monitored), and has been established as the standard of care”
Not “experimental”
https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/position-statements/transgender-health
“Medical intervention for transgender individuals (including hormone therapy) is effective, relatively safe (when appropriately monitored), and has been established as the standard of care”
Not “experimental”
https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/position-statements/transgender-health
NZ Guidelines for Gender Affirming Healthcare:
“Gender affirming care for trans people significantly improves gender dysphoria, and mental health and wellbeing outcomes”
https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/12160/Guidelines%20for%20Gender%20Affirming%20Health%20low%20res.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
“Gender affirming care for trans people significantly improves gender dysphoria, and mental health and wellbeing outcomes”
https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/12160/Guidelines%20for%20Gender%20Affirming%20Health%20low%20res.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
“Withholding gender affirming treatment is not considered a neutral option, as this may cause or exacerbate any gender dysphoria or mental health problems”
Yesterday’s ruling threatens not just to withhold, but to withdraw, gender affirming treatment for trans kids in the UK
Yesterday’s ruling threatens not just to withhold, but to withdraw, gender affirming treatment for trans kids in the UK
“Timing of use of puberty blockers can have a significant impact on future wellbeing”
... trans young people in the UK already expect to wait years for an initial assessment with GIDS, let alone be considered for puberty blockers
... trans young people in the UK already expect to wait years for an initial assessment with GIDS, let alone be considered for puberty blockers
Australian Standards of Care for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents
https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/adolescent-medicine/australian-standards-of-care-and-treatment-guidelines-for-trans-and-gender-diverse-children-and-adolescents.pdf
https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/adolescent-medicine/australian-standards-of-care-and-treatment-guidelines-for-trans-and-gender-diverse-children-and-adolescents.pdf
“Avoid causing harm: withholding of gender affirming treatment is not considered a neutral option, and may exacerbate distress in a number of ways, including increasing depression, anxiety, suicidality and social withdrawal”
Both the NZ and Australian models build in a complex assessment of informed consent, using a fully MDT approach
The American Academy of Pediatrics
“...families and doctors of transgender children often report that the gender transition process is transformative — even life-saving. Often, parents and clinicians describe remarkable improvements in the child’s psychological well-being”
“...families and doctors of transgender children often report that the gender transition process is transformative — even life-saving. Often, parents and clinicians describe remarkable improvements in the child’s psychological well-being”
“Competent, compassionate medical and mental health providers are vital resources for transgender and gender-expansive children and their families.”
“By delaying puberty the child and family gain time to explore gender-related feelings and options”
“By delaying puberty the child and family gain time to explore gender-related feelings and options”
All three countries - NZ, Australia and US - have clear, transparent frameworks for providing evidence-based care to trans and gender-diverse children and young people
More research is absolutely needed, but benefits of current standards of care are clear, as is potential harm
More research is absolutely needed, but benefits of current standards of care are clear, as is potential harm
If you have read about yesterday’s ruling, I urge you to read through these guidelines to put the current standard of care in the UK in context with best practice internationally
We were struggling before; this ruling makes that even clearer
We were struggling before; this ruling makes that even clearer
These children and young people are already being failed by our health service, forced to wait years for even first assessments, during which time risk of secondary harm can rapidly accrue
We need a complete overhaul, in line with our international peers, of our trans services
We need a complete overhaul, in line with our international peers, of our trans services
The immediate fallout of yesterday’s ruling will be being picked up today by families and support organisations; without hope of access to medicines, these kids need even more support provided to them. Where is it?
There is lots more to unpick about this ruling, particularly how it may affect the care of children and young people in an even broader sense; better minds than mine are working on that
We need the voices of trans children and young people themselves, and the trans adults they grow up to become, to be better heard in this; it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s all too often missing
You are not alone, and you deserve so much better 
