Reverse Queensland’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Hormones for Trans Youth
Reverse Queensland’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Hormones for Trans Youth
The issue
To the Hon. Tim Nicholls and the Queensland Government,
The Queensland Government has banned all access to gender-affirming hormone therapy for minors—ignoring medical science and putting vulnerable young people at serious risk. This decision is not only harmful but also disregards well-established medical evidence supporting gender-affirming care.
Why This Ban is Harmful
- Puberty blockers are a well-established, reversible treatment that allows trans youth to explore their identity before making permanent medical decisions.
- Denying access increases suicide risk, depression, and self-harm rates—already alarmingly high among transgender Australians.
Selective Restriction: A Ban That Targets Only Trans Youth
The Queensland Government’s ban on puberty blockers applies only to transgender youth, while the same medication remains available for children experiencing precocious (early) puberty. If there were genuine concerns about the safety of puberty blockers, why does this ban not extend to all patients?
Puberty blockers have been safely used for decades to delay puberty in children who develop too early. Yet, this ban specifically targets their use for transgender youth, despite medical experts supporting them as a reversible and beneficial treatment for those experiencing gender dysphoria.
If these medications were truly unsafe, they would not be prescribed to any child. Instead, this policy singles out transgender youth, denying them medically supported care while allowing others to continue receiving the same treatment without restriction.
This is not about protecting children—it is about selectively restricting healthcare based on identity.
The Irreversibility of Puberty and the Consequences of This Ban
Puberty, once it occurs, cannot be reversed. By banning access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy, the Queensland Government is removing a vital medical option and forcing transgender individuals to endure permanent changes that may later require invasive and costly surgery.
Many of the physical changes brought on by puberty—such as bone structure, voice deepening, and facial hair growth—are difficult or impossible to fully reverse without medical intervention. If transgender youth are denied access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy, they may be left with no choice but to undergo surgeries that could have been avoided had they been allowed access to early intervention.
This ban does not prevent medical transition—it only makes it more traumatic, expensive, and physically burdensome for transgender individuals in the future. Denying young people the right to make informed medical decisions now only ensures they will face greater hardship later in life.
Regret Rates for Medical Procedures
- Puberty Blockers: ~2% regret, with some of that 2% wishing they had gone straight to hormones instead.
- Hormone Therapy (HRT): 1%–2% regret.
- Gender-Affirming Surgery: 0.3%–1% regret.
- Cosmetic Surgery (general): 10%-40% regret.
- Prostate Cancer Surgery (Prostatectomy): 16%-20% regret.
- Knee Replacement Surgery: 10%–20% regret.
- Hip Replacement Surgery: 7%–15% regret.
Regret Rates for Major Life Decisions
- Career Choices: Over 50% experience regret.
- Marriage: 42% express regret at some point.
- University Degrees: About 38% regret their choice.
- Divorce: 32%–50% regret divorcing their spouse.
Compared to these figures, the 1%–2% regret rate for puberty blockers and HRT demonstrates that transgender individuals are overwhelmingly satisfied with their decision.
The Life-Saving Benefits of Gender-Affirming Care
Scientific research consistently supports the benefits of gender-affirming treatment, including:
✔Reduced suicide rates
✔Lower depression and anxiety
✔Improved quality of life and well-being
✔Better social and psychological functioning
These treatments are not experimental—they are medically necessary, safe, and have been used for decades.
The Reality for Transgender People in Australia
Identity
- 2%–3% of young Australians identify as transgender, gender diverse, or non-binary.
Mental Health and Diagnoses
- 73% diagnosed with depression (4x higher than the general population).
- 67% diagnosed with anxiety.
- 15% diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- 11% diagnosed with ADHD.
Self-Harm and Suicide
- 63% have intentionally self-harmed.
- 53% of trans men have attempted suicide.
- 40% of trans women have attempted suicide.
- 43%–48% of other transgender individuals have attempted suicide.
Healthcare Access and Discrimination
- 56%+ reported at least one instance of trans-related discrimination in healthcare settings.
- 26% were asked inappropriate questions about their gender identity during unrelated medical visits.
- 15% had medical care delayed because a doctor dismissed their concerns.
Employment and Violence
- 70%+ experienced verbal assault.
- 33% experienced workplace discrimination.
- 22% experienced physical assault.
Intimate Partner Violence
- 50%+ have experienced sexual violence or coercion.
- 40% of non-binary individuals have experienced domestic violence.
- 30% of trans men and 20% of trans women have experienced domestic violence.
These statistics paint a clear picture: transgender Queenslanders already face extreme hardships, and restricting access to gender-affirming care will only make their lives harder.
Medical Experts Support Gender-Affirming Care
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) provides internationally recognised standards of care that support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors under the guidance of medical professionals.
Why, then, is this decision not based on informed consent?
Why are two medical doctors—including a psychiatrist—not trusted to assess whether hormone treatment is appropriate for a minor?
Why is the government interfering in the healthcare of transgender youth instead of listening to medical experts?
Our Demand
We call on the Queensland Government to immediately reverse the decision to ban all gender-affirming hormone treatments for individuals under 18.
Denying access to hormone therapy is not just an attack on gender-affirming care—it is a direct threat to the mental and physical well-being of transgender youth.
We urge you to listen to the medical community, human rights advocates, and most importantly, transgender individuals themselves.
Reinstate access to gender-affirming hormone treatments now!
🔴 Sign this petition and take a stand for trans lives!
Scientific and Research-Based References
The following peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and expert guidelines support the necessity and benefits of gender-affirming hormone treatments for minors.
1. Mental Health and Suicide Risk in Transgender Youth
- Almazan, A. N., et al. (2021). Association between gender-affirming surgeries and mental health outcomes. JAMA Surgery, 156(7), 611–618. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2021.0952
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). LGBTIQ+ Australians: Suicidal thoughts and behaviours and self-harm. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/suicide-self-harm-monitoring/data/populations-age-groups/suicidal-and-self-harming-thoughts-and-behaviours
- Orygen. (2022, February 10). Mental health and suicide risk in trans and gender-diverse young people. https://www.orygen.org.au/About/News-And-Events/2022/Mental-health-and-suicide-risk-in-trans-and-gender
- Zwickl, S., et al. (2021). Factors associated with suicide attempts among Australian transgender adults. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03084-7
2. Benefits of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
- Baker, K. E., et al. (2021). Hormone therapy, mental health, and quality of life among transgender people: A systematic review. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 5(4), bvab011. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvab011
- Bretherton, I., et al. (2021). The health and well-being of transgender Australians: A national community survey. LGBT Health, 8(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2020.0178
- Rew, L., et al. (2021). Puberty blockers for transgender and gender diverse youth: A critical review of the literature. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 26(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12437
- Strauss, P., et al. (2022). Perspectives of trans and gender diverse young people accessing primary care and gender-affirming medical services: Findings from Trans Pathways. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(3), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2021.1884925
3. Regret Rates for Medical Procedures
- Cassidy, R. S., et al. (2023). Decision regret after primary hip and knee replacement surgery. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, 28(1), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2021.10.007
- Dhejne, C., et al. (2021). Regret after gender-affirmation surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, 9(3), e3477. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003477
- Kidd, K. M., et al. (2024). Misinformation related to discontinuation and regret among adolescents receiving gender-affirming care. Journal of Adolescent Health, 75(5), 698–699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.08.002
- Reeck, C., et al. (2024). Reining in regret: Emotion regulation modulates regret in decision making. Cognition and Emotion, 38(8), 1368–1375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2024.2357847
- Thornton, S. M., et al. (2024). A systematic review of patient regret after surgery: A common phenomenon in many specialties but rare within gender-affirmation surgery. American Journal of Surgery, 234, 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.04.021
- Wiepjes, C. M., et al. (2018). The Amsterdam cohort of gender dysphoria study (1972–2015): Trends in prevalence, treatment, and regrets. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 15(4), 582–590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.01.016
- Wilson, A., et al. (2017). Regret in surgical decision making: A systematic review of patient and physician perspectives. World Journal of Surgery, 41(6), 1454–1465. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-017-3895-9
4. Regret Rates for Major Life Decisions
- Business Wire. (2016). One-third of Americans regret major life choices. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160523005192/en/One-Third-of-Americans-Regret-Major-Life-Choices
- Roese, N. J., et al. (2005). What we regret most… and why. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(9), 1273–1285. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205274693
- Strada Education Network. (2018). Do you regret your college choices? https://stradaeducation.org/value/do-you-regret-your-college-choices/
5. Discrimination in Healthcare and Society
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). Family, domestic and sexual violence: LGBTIQA+ people. Retrieved October 1, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/lgbtiqa-people
- Trans Health Research. (2024, May 10). Yes, trans people are still being refused health care in Australia. https://www.transresearch.org.au/post/healthcareaccess
6. International Medical Guidelines on Gender-Affirming Care
- Coleman, E., et al. (2022). Standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people, Version 8. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(Suppl. 1), S1–S259. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644
- de Vries, A. L. C., et al. (2011). Puberty suppression in adolescents with gender identity disorder: A prospective follow‐up study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(8), 2276–2283. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01943.x
- t’Sjoen, G., et al. (2020). European Society for Sexual Medicine position statement: Assessment and hormonal management in adolescent and adult trans people, with attention for sexual function and satisfaction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(4), 570–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.01.012
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Transgender people. World Health Organization. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/populations/transgender-people
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (n.d.). Standards of care Version 8. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://wpath.org/publications/soc8/
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (2024). Transgender medical benefits. https://wpath.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Transgender-Medical-Benefits.pdf
To condense the reference list, multiple-author citations have been abbreviated using ‘et al.’ instead of listing all authors in full.
1,465
The issue
To the Hon. Tim Nicholls and the Queensland Government,
The Queensland Government has banned all access to gender-affirming hormone therapy for minors—ignoring medical science and putting vulnerable young people at serious risk. This decision is not only harmful but also disregards well-established medical evidence supporting gender-affirming care.
Why This Ban is Harmful
- Puberty blockers are a well-established, reversible treatment that allows trans youth to explore their identity before making permanent medical decisions.
- Denying access increases suicide risk, depression, and self-harm rates—already alarmingly high among transgender Australians.
Selective Restriction: A Ban That Targets Only Trans Youth
The Queensland Government’s ban on puberty blockers applies only to transgender youth, while the same medication remains available for children experiencing precocious (early) puberty. If there were genuine concerns about the safety of puberty blockers, why does this ban not extend to all patients?
Puberty blockers have been safely used for decades to delay puberty in children who develop too early. Yet, this ban specifically targets their use for transgender youth, despite medical experts supporting them as a reversible and beneficial treatment for those experiencing gender dysphoria.
If these medications were truly unsafe, they would not be prescribed to any child. Instead, this policy singles out transgender youth, denying them medically supported care while allowing others to continue receiving the same treatment without restriction.
This is not about protecting children—it is about selectively restricting healthcare based on identity.
The Irreversibility of Puberty and the Consequences of This Ban
Puberty, once it occurs, cannot be reversed. By banning access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy, the Queensland Government is removing a vital medical option and forcing transgender individuals to endure permanent changes that may later require invasive and costly surgery.
Many of the physical changes brought on by puberty—such as bone structure, voice deepening, and facial hair growth—are difficult or impossible to fully reverse without medical intervention. If transgender youth are denied access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy, they may be left with no choice but to undergo surgeries that could have been avoided had they been allowed access to early intervention.
This ban does not prevent medical transition—it only makes it more traumatic, expensive, and physically burdensome for transgender individuals in the future. Denying young people the right to make informed medical decisions now only ensures they will face greater hardship later in life.
Regret Rates for Medical Procedures
- Puberty Blockers: ~2% regret, with some of that 2% wishing they had gone straight to hormones instead.
- Hormone Therapy (HRT): 1%–2% regret.
- Gender-Affirming Surgery: 0.3%–1% regret.
- Cosmetic Surgery (general): 10%-40% regret.
- Prostate Cancer Surgery (Prostatectomy): 16%-20% regret.
- Knee Replacement Surgery: 10%–20% regret.
- Hip Replacement Surgery: 7%–15% regret.
Regret Rates for Major Life Decisions
- Career Choices: Over 50% experience regret.
- Marriage: 42% express regret at some point.
- University Degrees: About 38% regret their choice.
- Divorce: 32%–50% regret divorcing their spouse.
Compared to these figures, the 1%–2% regret rate for puberty blockers and HRT demonstrates that transgender individuals are overwhelmingly satisfied with their decision.
The Life-Saving Benefits of Gender-Affirming Care
Scientific research consistently supports the benefits of gender-affirming treatment, including:
✔Reduced suicide rates
✔Lower depression and anxiety
✔Improved quality of life and well-being
✔Better social and psychological functioning
These treatments are not experimental—they are medically necessary, safe, and have been used for decades.
The Reality for Transgender People in Australia
Identity
- 2%–3% of young Australians identify as transgender, gender diverse, or non-binary.
Mental Health and Diagnoses
- 73% diagnosed with depression (4x higher than the general population).
- 67% diagnosed with anxiety.
- 15% diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- 11% diagnosed with ADHD.
Self-Harm and Suicide
- 63% have intentionally self-harmed.
- 53% of trans men have attempted suicide.
- 40% of trans women have attempted suicide.
- 43%–48% of other transgender individuals have attempted suicide.
Healthcare Access and Discrimination
- 56%+ reported at least one instance of trans-related discrimination in healthcare settings.
- 26% were asked inappropriate questions about their gender identity during unrelated medical visits.
- 15% had medical care delayed because a doctor dismissed their concerns.
Employment and Violence
- 70%+ experienced verbal assault.
- 33% experienced workplace discrimination.
- 22% experienced physical assault.
Intimate Partner Violence
- 50%+ have experienced sexual violence or coercion.
- 40% of non-binary individuals have experienced domestic violence.
- 30% of trans men and 20% of trans women have experienced domestic violence.
These statistics paint a clear picture: transgender Queenslanders already face extreme hardships, and restricting access to gender-affirming care will only make their lives harder.
Medical Experts Support Gender-Affirming Care
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) provides internationally recognised standards of care that support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors under the guidance of medical professionals.
Why, then, is this decision not based on informed consent?
Why are two medical doctors—including a psychiatrist—not trusted to assess whether hormone treatment is appropriate for a minor?
Why is the government interfering in the healthcare of transgender youth instead of listening to medical experts?
Our Demand
We call on the Queensland Government to immediately reverse the decision to ban all gender-affirming hormone treatments for individuals under 18.
Denying access to hormone therapy is not just an attack on gender-affirming care—it is a direct threat to the mental and physical well-being of transgender youth.
We urge you to listen to the medical community, human rights advocates, and most importantly, transgender individuals themselves.
Reinstate access to gender-affirming hormone treatments now!
🔴 Sign this petition and take a stand for trans lives!
Scientific and Research-Based References
The following peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and expert guidelines support the necessity and benefits of gender-affirming hormone treatments for minors.
1. Mental Health and Suicide Risk in Transgender Youth
- Almazan, A. N., et al. (2021). Association between gender-affirming surgeries and mental health outcomes. JAMA Surgery, 156(7), 611–618. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2021.0952
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). LGBTIQ+ Australians: Suicidal thoughts and behaviours and self-harm. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/suicide-self-harm-monitoring/data/populations-age-groups/suicidal-and-self-harming-thoughts-and-behaviours
- Orygen. (2022, February 10). Mental health and suicide risk in trans and gender-diverse young people. https://www.orygen.org.au/About/News-And-Events/2022/Mental-health-and-suicide-risk-in-trans-and-gender
- Zwickl, S., et al. (2021). Factors associated with suicide attempts among Australian transgender adults. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03084-7
2. Benefits of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
- Baker, K. E., et al. (2021). Hormone therapy, mental health, and quality of life among transgender people: A systematic review. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 5(4), bvab011. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvab011
- Bretherton, I., et al. (2021). The health and well-being of transgender Australians: A national community survey. LGBT Health, 8(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2020.0178
- Rew, L., et al. (2021). Puberty blockers for transgender and gender diverse youth: A critical review of the literature. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 26(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12437
- Strauss, P., et al. (2022). Perspectives of trans and gender diverse young people accessing primary care and gender-affirming medical services: Findings from Trans Pathways. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(3), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2021.1884925
3. Regret Rates for Medical Procedures
- Cassidy, R. S., et al. (2023). Decision regret after primary hip and knee replacement surgery. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, 28(1), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2021.10.007
- Dhejne, C., et al. (2021). Regret after gender-affirmation surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, 9(3), e3477. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003477
- Kidd, K. M., et al. (2024). Misinformation related to discontinuation and regret among adolescents receiving gender-affirming care. Journal of Adolescent Health, 75(5), 698–699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.08.002
- Reeck, C., et al. (2024). Reining in regret: Emotion regulation modulates regret in decision making. Cognition and Emotion, 38(8), 1368–1375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2024.2357847
- Thornton, S. M., et al. (2024). A systematic review of patient regret after surgery: A common phenomenon in many specialties but rare within gender-affirmation surgery. American Journal of Surgery, 234, 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.04.021
- Wiepjes, C. M., et al. (2018). The Amsterdam cohort of gender dysphoria study (1972–2015): Trends in prevalence, treatment, and regrets. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 15(4), 582–590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.01.016
- Wilson, A., et al. (2017). Regret in surgical decision making: A systematic review of patient and physician perspectives. World Journal of Surgery, 41(6), 1454–1465. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-017-3895-9
4. Regret Rates for Major Life Decisions
- Business Wire. (2016). One-third of Americans regret major life choices. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160523005192/en/One-Third-of-Americans-Regret-Major-Life-Choices
- Roese, N. J., et al. (2005). What we regret most… and why. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(9), 1273–1285. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205274693
- Strada Education Network. (2018). Do you regret your college choices? https://stradaeducation.org/value/do-you-regret-your-college-choices/
5. Discrimination in Healthcare and Society
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). Family, domestic and sexual violence: LGBTIQA+ people. Retrieved October 1, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/lgbtiqa-people
- Trans Health Research. (2024, May 10). Yes, trans people are still being refused health care in Australia. https://www.transresearch.org.au/post/healthcareaccess
6. International Medical Guidelines on Gender-Affirming Care
- Coleman, E., et al. (2022). Standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people, Version 8. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(Suppl. 1), S1–S259. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644
- de Vries, A. L. C., et al. (2011). Puberty suppression in adolescents with gender identity disorder: A prospective follow‐up study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(8), 2276–2283. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01943.x
- t’Sjoen, G., et al. (2020). European Society for Sexual Medicine position statement: Assessment and hormonal management in adolescent and adult trans people, with attention for sexual function and satisfaction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(4), 570–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.01.012
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Transgender people. World Health Organization. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/populations/transgender-people
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (n.d.). Standards of care Version 8. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://wpath.org/publications/soc8/
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (2024). Transgender medical benefits. https://wpath.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Transgender-Medical-Benefits.pdf
To condense the reference list, multiple-author citations have been abbreviated using ‘et al.’ instead of listing all authors in full.
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Petition created on 30 January 2025