On this episode of 20Twenty, Ashlyn Vice from the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) joined us to talk about healthcare and children’s wellbeing. The Queensland Government has just announced that it’s looking into how puberty blockers and hormone treatments are prescribed to minors. This decision came after Queensland’s Health Minister, Tim Nicholls, announced a pause on these treatments.
The ACL has been pushing for these kinds of reviews across Australia. There is also growing evidence that such treatments can harm children. ‘There’s been a lot of movement globally to to implement bans,’ says Ashlyn, ‘or at least pause these treatments for children in light of evidence coming out that they are, in fact quite harmful.’
The move by the Queensland Government reflects a wider trend seen in many European countries, where stricter rules have been put in place regarding hormone therapies for kids. Many countries are also beginning to recognise the possible long-term effects these treatments might have. ‘They are simply just paying attention to the medical evidence that has come to light,’ says Ashlyn. ‘Puberty blockers are harmful for children, they lead to potentially irreversible lifelong issues.’
Healthcare and Children’s Wellbeing
Alongside the Queensland review, Australia is also starting a federal review of gender clinic guidelines. However, there are worries that this review might be biased. Some of those involved have strong beliefs about supporting gender transitions for minors. But Ashlyn believes these reviews also need to be truly independent so that people can trust public health services.
‘There is a common kind of expectation and attitude now in in transgender medicine,’ says Ashlyn, ‘that for for any sort of evidence to be legitimate, it needs to be informed by the opinions and views of people with what we call lived experience. Unfortunately, the problem with that expectation is we do get a lot of bias.’
Given these latest developments, Ashlyn encourages everyone to pray for the outcome of the reviews and the health of our children. She also urges people to get involved by visiting the ACL’s website to support campaigns aimed at influencing lawmakers. ‘Pray for our nation and for Queensland and the Federal Government. All these announcements are happening very quickly.’
Listen to Ashlyn’s full interview on 20Twenty below:
