by Brit Dawson

LGBTQ+ campaigners have spoken out to condemn comments made by the UK’s equalities minister Liz Truss on Wednesday (April 22), after she said she wanted to protect under-18s from “irreversible” decisions about their gender.

Truss’ comments came as she announced the government’s highly-anticipated response to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) – reviewed in 2018 – which will arrive this summer. The minister said: “I believe strongly that adults should have the freedom to lead their lives as they see fit, but I think it’s very important that while people are still developing their decision-making capabilities that we protect them from making those irreversible decisions.”

LGBTQ+ activists are concerned by this announcement, which could affect access to counselling and medical provisions for gender-questioning children and teens, who often use puberty blockers ahead of deciding whether to start hormone therapy.

Laura Russell, Stonewall’s director of campaigns, said: “While it’s good to hear that the government will set out its proposals for next steps on reform of the Gender Recognition Act, we’re concerned about comments that relate to protecting trans people who are under 18 from making ‘irreversible decisions’. We’d welcome an opportunity to discuss this with the minister, as it’s crucial that all young people who are questioning their gender identity are able to access high-quality, timely support. Every trans young person should be given the care they need, in an informed and supportive manner, so they’re able to lead a happy, healthy life.”

Speaking to Dazed, Voices4 London organiser Prishita Maheshwari-Aplin called Truss’ comments “a direct attack on the rights of some of the most vulnerable members of our society”. She added: “Access to healthcare for young trans people is a matter of bodily autonomy; a basic human right.”

“With trans people having one of the highest suicide rates, it’s important to note that recent studies have shown that access to puberty blockers is life-saving for trans teenagers,” continued Maheshwari-Aplin. “In light of this, it’s extremely concerning that access to this crucial healthcare is being discussed alongside the Gender Recognition Act. The GRA has no bearing on medical care, and this conflation of the two suggests the priority here isn’t a concern for young people’s wellbeing at all.” Read more via Dazed