Open letter
to QLD Government

To the Queensland Government,

We are a coalition of health and medical professionals, community organisations and legal experts writing to express our deep dismay at the Queensland Government’s decision to double down on its ban denying healthcare to young trans people. 

Denying care is not a neutral act — doing nothing is not harm-free. In fact, denying care is the one course of action guaranteed to cause lasting harm. 

The Government’s misuse of 44(1) of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld) not only contradicts the clear intent of the law but also violates the wishes of young people, parents and the broader community.  

Politicians have no place overriding parents and dictating private medical decisions made between patients, their families and qualified clinicians. 

The government claims to be acting in the public interest, which requires promoting health and safety, improving service quality for all Queenslanders, and protecting vulnerable people from harm. 

And yet it is the most vulnerable members of the public who are hurt the most by this ban on such essential health care. 

True public interest lies in ensuring every young person can access the care they need, when they need it. 

Every young person in Queensland is entitled to receive medical care without political interference.  

Queensland now stands alone as the only state removing this vital support from young people— a decision that defies expert medical consensus, global guidelines, community expectations and the government’s own human rights obligations. 

An independent Queensland review conducted just last year confirmed that gender-affirming care is both safe and effective, and delivered to a high standard at the Queensland Children’s Gender Service. Yet instead of acting on that evidence, the government has chosen to ignore it. 

The Queensland government has also maintained access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies for young people who are not trans — even as access remains restricted for those who are. 

The evidence on the benefits of gender affirming medical care is clear and well established. Puberty blockers and hormone treatments — for the small number of young people who need them — are essential and life-saving healthcare. 

Denying access to gender affirmation will cause immeasurable damage to those young people who need it, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide. 

Parents are rightly terrified about what this will mean for their children.  

To undermine young people, parents, families and health professionals across the state and restrict or deny access to this care is a politically motivated move that endangers further the already marginalised and vulnerable Queenslanders whom the government is supposed to protect. 

In a landmark decision, the Queensland Supreme Court ruled that the government’s Health Services Directive to enact the ban was unlawful. To immediately reinstate the ban under a different power ignores the clear wishes of community and all credible medical evidence.  

We urge the Queensland Government to immediately reverse this dangerous and damaging ban in accordance with the best interests of children, wishes of parents, the evidence of experts, and the rule of law.

Signatories:

Organisations:

  1. A Gender Agenda ACT
  2. ACON
  3. ACT Mental Health Consumer Network
  4. AIVL
  5. Albany Pride
  6. AltSpace Therapies
  7. Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International
  8. Anglicare Southern Queensland
  9. Anwernekenhe National HIV Alliance
  10. ASHM Health
  11. Asian Australian Alliance
  12. Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH)
  13. Australian Council of Social Service
  14. Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council
  15. Australian Rainbow Veterinarians and Allies
  16. Basic Rights Queensland
  17. BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation
  18. Carer Gateway, Wellways
  19. Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney
  20. Chosen Family Pty Ltd
  21. Community Connections
  22. Community Living Association
  23. Connect Psychology
  24. Diverse Voices
  25. Dowson Turco Lawyers
  26. Drummond Street Services/Queerspace
  27. Engender Equality
  28. Equal Voices
  29. Equality Australia
  30. Evolution Launch Support Services
  31. Feast Festival
  32. Finance Sector Union of Australia
  33. Flinders University Queer Collective
  34. Forcibly Displaced Peoples Network (FDPN)
  35. Free Mum Hugs, Australia
  36. GAY SKATE
  37. Gender Health Australia
  38. Gimuy Queer Collective
  39. Goulburn Valley Pride Inc
  40. Haven Psychology Centre Pty Ltd
  41. Headspace Caboolture YRG
  42. Headspace Indooroopilly
  43. Headspace Redcliffe
  44. Headspace Rockhampton YRG
  45. Headspace Strathpine
  46. Health Equity Matters
  47. Human Rights Law Centre
  48. Hunter Gender Alliance
  49. Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance
  50. Impact Co.
  51. Inclusive Rainbow Voices
  52. Inner City Legal Centre
  53. Inner West Council LGBTQ Local Democracy Group
  54. Inner West Roller Derby League
  55. Intellectual Disability Rights Service
  56. InterLink
  57. International Women's Development Agency (IWDA)
  58. Justice and Equity Centre
  59. Kardinia Health
  60. Kimberley Blak Pride
  61. LGBTI Legal Service
  62. LGBTIQ Health Australia
  63. Living Proud, WA
  64. Meridian
  65. Many Genders One Voice
  66. Minus18 Foundation
  67. Network of Alcohol and Drugs Agencies (NADA)
  68. National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
  69. National Women's Safety Alliance
  70. Newcastle Parent Group
  71. No Milk In My T
  72. Open Doors Youth Services
  73. Parents for Trans Youth Equity
  74. Parents of Gender Diverse Children (SA)
  75. People With Disability Australia (PWDA)
  76. Perth Inner City Youth Service
  77. Phoenix Rising
  78. Picabeen Youth Service
  79. Positive Attitude Inc
  80. Pride Centre, Victoria
  81. Pride in Law
  82. Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (QNADA)
  83. QTrans
  84. Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI)
  85. Queensland Alliance for Mental Health
  86. Queensland Council for LGBTI Health
  87. Queensland Council of Social Service
  88. Queensland Lived Experience Workforce Network
  89. Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union
  90. Queer & Trans Workers Against Violence
  91. Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA)
  92. Rainbow Affinity
  93. Rainbow Catholics Interagency Australia
  94. Rainbow Families Australia
  95. Rainbow Families, Queensland
  96. Rainbow Futures, WA
  97. Rainbow Giving Australia
  98. Rainbow Hollow Services
  99. Respect QLD
  100. Roses in the Ocean
  101. Rough Patch Counselling
  102. SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA)
  103. Sexual Health Society of Queensland
  104. Sisters Inside
  105. Sock Drawer Heroes
  106. St James Pharmacy
  107. Switchboard Victoria
  108. Team Rainbow
  109. The Benevolent Society
  110. The Brisbane Endocrine and Gender Service
  111. The Courageous Space
  112. The Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland
  113. The Relationship Space
  114. The Vital Collective
  115. Third Queer Culture/QPASTT
  116. Thorne Harbour Health
  117. Trans Justice Project Adelaide Tarntanya
  118. Trans Justice Project Brisbane Meanjin
  119. Trans Justice Project National
  120. Trans Justice Project Canberra, Ngunnawal/Ngambri
  121. Trans Justice Sydney
  122. Trans.au
  123. Transcend Australia
  124. Transfemme SA
  125. Transfolk WA
  126. Transgender Victoria
  127. True Relationships & Reproductive Health
  128. Twenty10
  129. Uniting Communities
  130. Victorian Pride Lobby
  131. VMIAC
  132. Women’s Health in the North
  133. WAAC
  134. We Skate Queensland
  135. Women's Justice Network
  136. YFS
  137. Your Community Health
  138. Yourtown
  139. Youth Advocacy Centre
  140. Zoe Belle Gender Collective

Individuals:

  1. Agata Krawczyk, Academic, Griffith University
  2. Amanda O'Brien, Academic, Griffith University
  3. Amelia Clancy, Union, FSU
  4. Amy Mullens, Psychologist
  5. Andrew Perfors, Academic, University of Melbourne
  6. Andrew Rayfield, Academic, Griffith University
  7. Angie Brown, LGBTQIA+ Peer Navigator
  8. Anna Fitzgerald, University of Melbourne
  9. Anneke Vos, Academic, Griffith University
  10. Aram Hosie, Occupational Therapist
  11. Ari Wylder, Counsellor & Social Worker
  12. Av De Vries, Emerging Out
  13. Baden Offord AO, Academic, Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University
  14. Belinda Birtles, Brisbane Southside Psychology
  15. Belinda Hachem, Academic, Griffith University
  16. Bella Bushby, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
  17. Benjamin Bavinton, Academic, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
  18. Beth Firipis, Academic, University of Adelaide
  19. Bowzer Scharka, Academic, Latrobe Law School
  20. Brianna Hammond, Transcendance
  21. Bridget Haire, Academic, CoPQTI UNSW
  22. Briony Kercheval, Story Psychology
  23. Canice Curtis, North Brisbane Psychologists
  24. Cara Beal, Research Director, QLD University
  25. Carla Treloar, Academic, Professor
  26. Casey Mcdonald, Union, FSU
  27. Catherine Londos, Academic, Kirby Institute, UNSW
  28. Catherine Wilson, Clinical Psychologist
  29. Christine Carey, Clinical Psychologist
  30. Clare Billings, Clare Billings Psychology
  31. Clare Dyer, Research Fellow, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
  32. Connie Gan, Lecturer, Griffith University
  33. Darby Carr, Academic
  34. David Colon Cabrera, Academic
  35. Delaney Skerrett, Psychologist
  36. Dianne Smith, Academic, Griffith University
  37. Donald Robert Jeffrey, Academic, Griffith University
  38. Dr Adam Bourne, Academic, ARCSHS, La Trobe University
  39. Dr Alisa Pollack, General Practitioner and Public Health Physician
  40. Dr Amy Hanlon, Greenslopes Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  41. Dr Annie-Kate Vann, General Practitioner
  42. Dr Annie Pohlman, Academic, Associate Professor, University of Queensland
  43. Dr Anthony K J Smith, Academic, Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW
  44. Dr Ashleigh McLean, Paediatrician
  45. Dr Bronwyn Bailey-Charteris, Academic, UNSW
  46. Dr Chris Maylea, Academic, Professor, La Trobe Law School
  47. Dr Danielle Stefanski, Specialist Physician - Infectious Diseases and General Practitioner
  48. Dr Darren Russell, Prism Health
  49. Dr Denton Callander, Academic, Associate Professor, Kirby Institute, UNSW
  50. Dr Emily Bunn Osteopath & Remedial Massage Therapist
  51. Dr Fiona Bisshop, General Practitioner/Sexual Health, Holdsworth House Brisbane
  52. Dr Freya McLachlan, Academic, Griffith University
  53. Dr Gale Bearman, GP and Medical Director
  54. Dr Jess Hooley, Academic
  55. Dr Joseph Debattista, Sexual Health & Blood Borne Virus Coordinator
  56. Dr Julian Grace, Academic
  57. Dr Karen Fisher, Academic, Professor
  58. Dr Katherine Hawkins, General Practitioner
  59. Dr Katie Wynne, Endocrinologist, University of Newcastle
  60. Dr Ken Pang, Academic, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
  61. Dr Kerry Manera, Psychologist
  62. Dr Kerryn Drysdale, Academic, CSRH UNSW
  63. Dr Lauren Finlay, General Practitioner/Sexual Health
  64. Dr Lucy McPhate, General Practitioner
  65. Dr Martin Holt, Academic, Professor
  66. Dr Mathew Watson, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
  67. Dr Melissa Brown, General Practitioner
  68. Dr Mihal Guttman-Jones, General Practitioner
  69. Dr Miranda Hann, Specialist, General Practitioner
  70. Dr Natalie Amos, Academic, La Trobe University
  71. Dr Nathanael Wells, Academic, Kirby Institute, UNSW
  72. Dr Nick Seltsova, General Practitioner
  73. Dr Nicole Gouda, General Practitioner
  74. Dr Nurman Noor, General Practitioner
  75. Dr Paavi Davidson, General Practitioner
  76. Dr Pauli Cundill, General Practitioner
  77. Dr Raewyn Connell, Academic, University of Sydney
  78. Dr Shauna Beech, Sexual Health Physician
  79. Dr Victoria Featherstone, General Practitioner
  80. Dr Yael Perry, Academic, Associate Professor
  81. E Diane Stapleton, Academic
  82. Eboni Burrows, Speech pathologist
  83. Elena Marchetti, Academic, Griffith University
  84. Elise Carbonara, Peer Support Worker
  85. Elizabeth Duck-Chong, writer and researcher
  86. Emma Nowak, Social Worker
  87. Em Millar, The Affirming Place
  88. Emerson Osterberg, Clinical, Educational and Developmental Psychologist
  89. Emmy Fitz-Gerald, Clinical Psychologist
  90. Ewa Stefanska, Academic
  91. Felicity Ho, Clinical Psychologist
  92. Fenella Hansen, Between the Lines Therapy
  93. Gavin Scott, Union, FSU
  94. Gemma Heale, Psychologist
  95. Genevieve Williams, Clinical Psychologist
  96. Georgia Williams, Clinical Psychologist
  97. Graham Neilsen, Academic, Griffith University
  98. Gregory Phillips, ABSTARR Consulting Pty Ltd
  99. Hana Hamilton, Academic, Griffith University
  100. Hannelie Scheffer, Clinical Psychologist
  101. Hayleigh Dunne, Psychologist
  102. Helen Morgan, Clinical Psychologist
  103. Ingrid Camilleri, Counsellor
  104. Jade Lewis, Youth Worker
  105. James MacGibbon, Academic, UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health
  106. Jamie Barnier, Clinical Psychologist
  107. Jane MacLeod, General Practitioner
  108. Janet Cartwright, Enhance Clinical Psychology Services
  109. Jasmine Dubost, Clinical Psychologist
  110. Jasmine Williams, Social Worker
  111. Jemma Organ-Fletcher, Youth Housing
  112. Jessica Hazzard-White, Psychologist
  113. Jessica Traino, Neuro Path Counselling
  114. Jessie Grime, Social Worker
  115. Dr Jessie Rafeld
  116. Jo Schobben, Clinical Nurse Specialist
  117. Joanne Stagg, Academic, Griffith University
  118. Dr Joanna Mesure
  119. Joshua Wilcox, Nurse Practitioner
  120. Judah Teo, Academic
  121. Dr Judy Luu, Endocrinologist
  122. Julia Ellis, Counsellor
  123. Juliette Lovell, Lovell Psychology
  124. July Lies, Excellence Psychology
  125. Juniper Muller, Melbourne Queer Psychologist
  126. Karen Crawley, Academic
  127. Dr Kat Ritchie
  128. Kat Walker, Physiotherapist
  129. Dr Kate Martin
  130. Kate Watson, Academic, Griffith University
  131. Katherine Thompson, Academic, PhD Candidate, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW
  132. Katie Shields, Lived Experience Impact Coordinator
  133. Katie Watson, Kids Helpline Counsellor
  134. Kaidan Dibbins, Senior Peer Support
  135. Kerry Gruber Vella, Clinical Psychologist
  136. KJ Power, Academic, Griffith University
  137. Kylee Lavelle, Union, FSU
  138. Kylie Valentine, Academic, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney
  139. Dr Kylie King
  140. Dr Lauren Finlay
  141. Dr Lachlan Angus, Endocrinologist
  142. Lizzy King, Academic, Griffith University
  143. Lia Lawton, Psychologist/Sexologist
  144. Lochie Curran, Union, FSU
  145. Dr Louise Tomlins, Sexual Health Physician
  146. Lucie Frankham, Clinical Psychologist
  147. Luka Ritter, Occupational Therapist
  148. Lumen Gorrie, Clinical Psychologist
  149. Lynn Sartori, GenderTalk
  150. Mack Ash, Provisional Psychologist
  151. Maggie Smith, Nurse Practitioner
  152. Mara Braun, Clinician
  153. Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Academic
  154. Mark Robertson, Registered Clinical Counsellor
  155. Mark Thompson, Nurse Practitioner
  156. Marnie Britton, Senior Clinical Psychologist
  157. Dr Martina Gleeson, General Practitioner
  158. Mary Poynten, Academic, UNSW Sydney
  159. Max Hopwood, Academic, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW
  160. Meisha Liddon, Academic, Griffith University
  161. Megan Waugh, Clinical Psychologist
  162. Dr Mel Kelly, Sexual Health Physician
  163. Mel Wyllie, Clinical Psychologist
  164. Merryn Wake, Academic
  165. Michael Carden, Academic, Griffith University
  166. Michelle Garland, Physiotherapist
  167. Miff Trevor, Mental Health Coordinator
  168. Dr Mitch Krosch, General Practitioner
  169. Milo Pace, Trans Peer Navigator
  170. Dr Morris Bersin, Dr Bersin Pty Ltd
  171. Nancy Westerman, The Courageous Space
  172. Naomi Crellin, Rapport Counselling
  173. Nicholas Martin, General Practitioner .
  174. Nicolas Stewart, Lawyer, Dowson Turco
  175. Olivia Emmett, Paralegal
  176. Parker Rettke, Academic, RMIT University
  177. Patrick McGrath, Clinical Psychologist
  178. Paul Armitage, Academic
  179. Paul Simpson, Academic, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney
  180. Penelope Strauss, Academic, The Kids Research Institute Australia
  181. Peta Evans-Taylor, Academic
  182. Peter Gormly, Powerful Choices Counselling
  183. Pheona van Huizen, Critical Care Registered Nurse
  184. Phoebe Rogers, At Home Psychology
  185. Prasenjit Mondal, Academic, Griffith University
  186. Dr Rebecca Hogan, General Practitioner
  187. Rae Cooper, Academic, Griffith University
  188. Libby Hattink, La Trobe University
  189. Dr Magenta Simmons, University of Melbourne
  190. Dr Ness Vaughan, University of WA Medical School
  191. Rae Danvers, University of Southern Queensland
  192. Silver Argentum, Trans Health Research Group, The University of Melbourne
  193. Dr Wenn Lawson, Curtin Autism Research Care
  194. Carmen Pace, Clinical Psychologist
  195. Eli Ward-Smith, The University of Melbourne
  196. Dr Sarah Martin, Sexual Health Physician
  197. Madeline Rowall, Clinical Psychologist
  198. Sarah Maunsell, Program Manager
  199. Dr David Capstick, Clinical Psychologist
  200. Adam Brownhill, TG Health Clinic
  201. Adele Pope, Clinical Psychologist
  202. Dr Alison Rutherford, Sexual Health Physician
  203. Amanda King, Clinical Psychologist
  204. Amy Walsh, Pharmacist
  205. Amy Harper, Psychologist
  206. Andi Wyatt, General Practitioner
  207. Dr Angela Pardey
  208. Dr Anna Bamford, Paediatrician
  209. Dr Anthony Smith, General Practitioner
  210. Dr Ben Rossiter
  211. Dr Bridget Lawler, General Practitioner
  212. Dr Bridget Fernando, General Practitioner
  213. Dr Camilla Sleeth, General Practitioner
  214. Candy Jacques, Counsellor
  215. Dr Carol Tung
  216. Dr Catherine Webster
  217. Claire Weiss, Physiotherapist
  218. Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, East Canberra General Practice
  219. Daniel Byrne, Registered Nurse
  220. Deb Anthony, Clinical Psychologist
  221. Deserae Horswood, Clinical Psychologist
  222. Dr Elspeth Man, General Practitioner
  223. Dr Emily Thrower, General Practitioner
  224. Dr Gabrielle Fernandez, GP Registrar
  225. Dr Gemma Urch
  226. Dr Georgie Swift, Child Psychiatrist
  227. Georgina Clarke, Psychiatry Registrar
  228. Grace Scolyer, General Practitioner
  229. Grace Blucher, Psychologist
  230. Dr Graham Lister
  231. Hilana Alouani-Roby, Speech Pathologist
  232. Holly Shuttleworth, Physiotherapist
  233. Dr Holly Inglis, Rainbow Care Clinic
  234. Dr Ingrid Bretherton, University of Melbourne Austin Health
  235. Dr Jacqueline Engelande, Holdsworth House Medical Practice
  236. Jemma Sterrett, Registered Nurse
  237. Jenny Nguyen, The Abion Centre
  238. Jessica Sloane, Psychologist
  239. Riki Lane, Academic
  240. Dr Robert Luelf
  241. Dr Rosalind Foster
  242. Samid Suliman, Academic, Griffith University
  243. Dr Sandy O'Sullivan, Professor of Critical Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University
  244. Sarah Joseph, Professor, Griffith University
  245. Sarah Lynch, Lawyer
  246. Sarah Norman-Brown, Youth Counsellor
  247. Dr Sam Maisey
  248. Scott Batchelor, Union, FSU
  249. Seanna Keeley, The Courageous Space
  250. Selma van Diest, Clinical Psychologist
  251. Dr Seymour Tier, Consultant Psychiatrist
  252. Dr Shirley Brady, East Toowoomba Clinic
  253. Dr Sophea Ing, General Practitioner
  254. Sophie Nielsen, Academic
  255. Sorcha Conlan, Sorcha Conlan Therapeutic Services
  256. Dr Spencer Watts, Victoria Harbour Medical Centre
  257. Stephanie Lusby, Academic, Research Fellow, ARCSHS
  258. Stevie Wilder, UNSW
  259. Tanja Takala, Clinical Psychologist
  260. Tara Scott, Living Authentically Counselling
  261. Tasha Patel, General Practitioner
  262. Tegan Murnane, LGBTIQA+ Patient Liaison
  263. Theresa Dominguez, Clinical Psychologist
  264. Tidge Madrigal, Consultant
  265. Timothy Jones, Academic, La Trobe University
  266. Tyson Arapali, Academic, Kirby Institute, UNSW
  267. Ula Coffey, Academic, Griffith University
  268. Dr Victoria Featherstone, General Practitioner
  269. Warittha Tieosapjaroen, Academic, Kirby Institute, UNSW
  270. . Willow Addams, Crisis Accommodation Case Manager
  271. Xi Liu, Clinical Psychologist
  272. Yalei Wilson, Fagus Psychology
  273. Zac Cannell, Mental Health Clinician
  274. Zahra Stardust, Academic, Queensland University of Technology

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