Every child deserves the chance to grow up happy and healthy, supported by professionals who understand their needs and can provide the right care. For trans and gender-diverse young people in the UK, this should include access to knowledgeable, well-trained healthcare providers and appropriate medical treatments where needed. Right now, this isn’t the reality. Long waiting times, limited access, and a lack of local services already create unnecessary hardship for trans youth and their families. The decision to make a blanket ban on puberty blockers permanent only makes things worse. Puberty blockers are a reversible, evidence-based treatment that give young people time to explore their identity without the stress of irreversible changes to their body. For many, they are a lifeline, easing mental health struggles and allowing space to make informed decisions about their future. Banning them takes away that option entirely, ignoring the advice of medical professionals and the needs of trans youth. We must work towards a future where every young person can access the care and support they need without judgement, excessive delays, or barriers. Compassionate, evidence-based healthcare is not just essential; it’s a right.
As an LGBTQ+ sector organisation, we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has decided to indefinitely criminalise the prescription of puberty suppressing medicines for trans children and young people outside of a proposed NHS research study. Read our full joint statement with other organisations across the UK: https://lnkd.in/dZS2G4kQ
