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If you keep up with the UQU Queer Collective’s Instagram page, chances are you saw a post titled ‘Statement from the University of Queensland Union (UQU) Queer Collective in Response to the Queensland Government’s Retracted Supported for Access to Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth’. Whether you read the full statement or not, it covers the significant and detrimental changes the Liberal National Party (LNP) have made to trans healthcare in Queensland.
In July last year, the Queensland Government under the Labor Party addressed findings from an independent evaluation of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service (QCGS). The panel conducting the review focused on the QCGS’ care and treatment of adolescents with diverse gender experiences within the context of national and international guidelines. The panel found practices within the QCGS ‘to be consistent with the current national and international guidelines for treatment and care for children and adolescents with gender diverse experiences’. It also found that the service’s ‘intake process, assessment, intervention, and the provision of education and information to consumers and their families was person-centred and comprehensive’, and that ‘the informed consent process and information contained within the consent forms for the commencement of puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones is comprehensive and considers the capacity of the child or adolescent and their family to provide informed consent.’
The panel also made 25 recommendations to enhance the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of gender services in Queensland. One of these is:
‘Queensland Health, supported by CHQ, should consider publicly demonstrating its support for children and adolescents with diverse gender experiences to access safe and effective pathways of care to optimise physical health, mental health, and wellbeing outcomes.’
The Queensland Government assured Queenslanders that all 25 recommendations would be implemented and that $2.6 million of additional yearly funding would be provided to the QCGS.
In January 2025, the Queensland Government, now under the control of the LNP, announced it would halt the implementation of these recommendations and funding. However, the LNP didn’t stop there. They furthered their attack on trans healthcare by placing a ban on any new public patients under 18 accessing puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls claimed the review was sparked by reports that gender services were being given to children at Cairns Sexual Health Service without parental support or proper medical support. The Cairns and Hinterland Health and Hospital Service stated that an internal review was performed, which found ‘process issues’, but there was no evidence of patient harm.
Children and adolescents (approx. 600) already receiving treatment for gender dysphoria will still be able to access puberty blockers and hormones. However, the ban will affect those on the state’s gender clinic waiting list, which is 491 people in total.
Open Doors Youth Service CEO Rachel Hines stated the ban was ‘discriminatory’ and would have ‘a huge impact on the trans community’.
With the federal election looming, trans and gender-diverse people can’t help but be concerned for the future of our rights if Peter Dutton and the LNP gain control of the country. We have already seen the Government erasing trans and queer people. Last year, it was announced that questions regarding sexuality and gender identity would not feature in the 2026 census, further pushing LGBTQIA+ Australians into the statistical closet, as Just Equal Australia spokesperson Rodney Croome stated.
All this suggests that the Government doesn’t care about protecting trans youth and instead wants to get rid of us altogether. This is something we’ve been fighting against for decades, and we won’t back down now. We will be loud and show those in power that we are here, we exist, and we’re not going anywhere.
Sources:
Queensland Children’s Gender Service, External Clinical Service Evaluation.
Equality Australia, QLD’s Hormone Ban for Trans Youth Slammed by Medical Experts and Human Rights Groups.
The Guardian, Queensland’s ban on puberty blockers and hormones left Liam devastated. A Victorian doctor stepped in.
The Guardian, Queensland halts prescription of puberty blockers and hormones for children with gender dysphoria.
ABC, Queensland government halts hormone treatment for new trans patients under 18.
Equality Australia, Gender Affirming Care Saves Lives: Equality Australia.
Equality Australia, Federal Government Betrays LGBTIQ+ People Following Call on 2026 Census.
Written by El Bancroft
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