Thousands joined protests across Australia as part of a national day of action to protect trans youth on February 8. They were called after the Queensland government decided to ban critical healthcare for trans people under the age of 18.
The bans on puberty blockers, used to delay the onset of puberty, and hormone treatments, implemented by Liberal National Party (LNP) health minister Tim Nicholls, were slammed by healthcare professionals, human rights groups, trans rights advocates and mental health experts.
The rallies, organised by the Trans Justice Project (TJP) and several other LGBTIQ rights groups, took place at 20 locations across the country, including in major cities and regional areas.
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Speaking at the rally in Gadigal Country/Sydney, TJP director Jackie Turner said trans people “deserve to thrive”.
“When people have access to the care they need, they are able to thrive. That’s what we want for our young people,” she told the hundreds-strong crowd crammed into Newtown’s Pride Square.
Turner said the LNP’s decision “took control” of young people's right to make decisions about their own bodies. “Ideological decisions should never override evidence-based healthcare.”
Turner told Green Left Radio on February 7 that attacks on trans rights have “escalated” in the past few years.
“These attacks can’t go unopposed, and we need to be standing together as a community and a society that values freedom, equality and justice for people.”
Turner told the rally that more than 100 organisations endorsed the day of action and that there had been a phenomenal outpouring of support. “The majority are on our side, it is a small group of hateful people leading the attacks in the media and in politics.”
She said parents and trans young people are worried that other states might implement similar laws, and that a mass movement is needed to prevent this.
“We need to amp up the pressure on the Queensland government, [Coalition leader Peter] Dutton and [Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese to reverse the ban and make gender-affirming care available to all.”
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Nessa Turnbull-Roberts, a Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman and human rights activist, told the protest that attacks on trans rights are being carried out by the same interests targeting First Nations young people.
“We are fighting for a world where all of our children are free,” she said.
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Emma, a mother of a trans child, told the crowd that she had one hope for her daughter: “Please live”.
She said her daughter told her she “didn’t want to be alive” when she was only five years old because she felt trapped in her assigned gender.
Emma said that her daughter was able to thrive because of gender-affirming care, wearing clothes she was comfortable in and choosing a name and pronouns that reflected her identity.
She said it was outrageous that “politicians who don’t know my child, don’t know me, don’t know her medical staff, are making decisions for her”.
Sunny, a young trans person, said she started 100% reversible puberty blockers at 12, and later went on oestrogen. “It was the first time I was able to look in the mirror and smile.”
Sunny said gender-affirming care was shown to reduce suicide rates by 73%, adding that Nicholls has a “complete disregard for the feelings and lives of trans kids”.
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Rachel Evans, Socialist Alliance candidate for the seat of Sydney in the federal election, told Green Left it was “very inspiring” to see so many people standing up for trans rights.
“This is a life and death issue for trans kids who need the evidence-based assistance that has just been ripped away from them.
“Capitalism is a system that divides and rules and now it’s trans kids who are under attack … with the rise of the far right it’s important we come together and keep organising, because together we are strong.”
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Sarah Hathway reports that more than 300 people joined the rally in Djilang/Geelong. Geelong Rainbow and TJP collaborated to present a range of local speakers, including several young trans and gender diverse members of the Djilang community.
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Thousands joined the rally in Naarm/Melbourne. Chloe DS reports that trans people spoke about their right to exist, with many holding signs that said: “We are not going anywhere”.
A trans doctor told the rally that “politicians have no space in our consulting rooms”.
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Hundreds of LGBTIQ people and supporters rallied in Muloobinba/Newcastle as part of the national day of action. Steve O’Brien reports the crowd chanted: “If trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, transphobia has got to go”.
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Carine Visschers reports that a bright and colourful crowd gathered in Giumy/Cairns for the rally, where passionate speeches and emotional stories were shared by young trans people and their parents.
The main messages were: “Trans rights are human rights” and “Stop destroying young lives for political gain”.
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Hundreds joined the rally in Boorloo/Perth, which was organised by Queer Liberation Boorloo (QLB) and TJP.
Riley Breen reports that Nova Sobieralski, QLB activist and Socialist Alliance Senate candidate, told GL that the Queensland government’s “unprecedented step to ban evidence-based gender-affirming care” means that the 491 people on the waiting list for care will not receive it.
She said Labor’s decision to “capitulate” to the demands to hold an inquiry into trans healthcare is not “standing with us”. Sobieralski said the Socialist Alliance takes trans rights seriously and will continue to fight for trans liberation.
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Petrina Harley, climate activist and mother of a trans child, told GL: “We are here in solidarity with the trans community in Queensland.
“I’m the mother of a trans daughter and the same healthcare they have banned in Queensland literally saved my daughter’s life.”
[Sign the petition to reinstate trans youth healthcare in Queensland here.]
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