Trans Teen’s Mother Wins Landmark Battle Against Queensland Government’s Puberty Blocker Ban: ‘A David Versus Goliath Victory’
- A Supreme Court judge has overturned the Queensland government’s controversial freeze on puberty blockers for adolescents, calling the directive ‘unlawful’
- The mother of a 14-year-old trans teenager brought the legal challenge, arguing the government had not followed proper procedures
- The government is considering reinstating the pause on puberty blockers, with Health Minister Tim Nicholls indicating he may issue a ministerial direction
In a dramatic turn of events, the Queensland government’s ban on puberty blockers for adolescents has been deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court. The ruling is a major victory for the mother of a 14-year-old trans teenager, who had taken on the government in a David versus Goliath battle.
The mother, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was ‘exhausted’ but ‘incredibly relieved’ by the decision. ‘I’m so pleased not just for my own kid but for all the other trans kids affected by the ban,’ she said outside the court. ‘It really was a David versus Goliath battle because we were going up against the resources of the state government.’
The controversy began in January when Queensland Health Director-General David Rosengren issued a health service directive banning public doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to new child patients with gender dysphoria. The mother of the trans teenager launched a legal challenge, arguing that the directive was unlawful because the correct processes had not been followed.
Justice Peter Callaghan handed down his 14-page decision, stating that the proceedings were not concerned with the merits of the directive, but rather the legal requirements that attend any decision of this nature. He found that Dr Rosengren had issued the directive without consulting with Queensland’s hospital and health services, rendering it unlawful.
The LGBTI Legal Service, which initiated the judicial review on behalf of the mother, hailed the judgement as a win. Lawyer Matilda Alexander said outside court that the judgement meant the puberty blocker ban had ‘no legal effect’. ‘We consider this an overwhelming defeat of the government,’ she said.
However, Health Minister Tim Nicholls indicated that the government’s position remained unchanged. ‘I will be considering the implications of doing so over the next little period of time,’ he said, referring to the possibility of issuing a ministerial direction to reinstate the pause on puberty blockers. The government has also been ordered to pay costs.
The decision has sparked a heated debate, with many in the trans community hailing the ruling as a major victory. The mother’s bravery in taking on the government has been praised, with many acknowledging the significant impact the ban had on trans teenagers and their families.
As the government considers its next move, the mother’s victory serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. ‘It’s a David versus Goliath victory,’ she said, her voice filled with emotion. ‘And I’m just so grateful that we were able to achieve this for all the trans kids out there.’