Australia
Country Profile
Politics, the Law and Gender Medicine
Legislative changes that impact sex-based rights and gender identity – gender self-ID legislation, “conversion therapy” bans, and hate speech legislation are progressively being passed in various Australian states. These changes have largely been guided by lobby groups with limited to no consideration of the impact on sex-based rights and the growing concerns and evidence base that challenges the “affirmative” model of gender medicalisation.
In jurisdictions where “conversion therapy” bans are in place, parent groups report the negative impact the laws have had on sourcing neutral mental health support.
A number of motions have been put to both Federal and State parliaments for inquiries into gender treatments for children and young people, which Genspect continues to advocate for.
Australian Media and Institutional Capture
The Australian mainstream media has been reluctant to critically examine issues related to gender, with the exception of a few notable journalists. This is starting to change as the evidence and global conversation becomes unavoidable and the Genspect team are working to educate and inform journalists at every opportunity on the topic.
More frequent and balanced coverage is starting to appear, and we will continue to contribute to the conversation. Concerns are growing about the use of puberty blockers for minors in Australian gender clinics, with coverage increasing in all publications.
Gender Clinics
Gender-related treatment is provided by a mix of public and private healthcare providers in Australia. Paediatric services are provided at major public hospitals in most states following the “affirmative” medical model. Although adult gender clinics exist, many people get hormones prescribed privately, with little oversight.
Professional Bodies
Most professional medical and mental health bodies in Australia support the “affirmation model” of treatment for gender issues, however as awareness of concerns and lack of robust evidence with this approach begins to grow, some are reconsidering their position.
Plastic surgeons are presently pushing for elective body modification surgeries to be made accessible via Medicare, Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. Genspect is one of a number of organisations that has provided an evidence-based submission to challenge their application.
Detransition
While the number of detransitioners is growing in Australia, the medical profession is largely silent on providing appropriate care. Genspect applauds and supports the advocacy group by and for detransitioners and desisters, Detransitioners Australia, that has recently formed.
Photo by Joey Csunyo on Unsplash