UK trans report’s message for Oz

The review of gender transitioning by the UK’S National Health Service and undertaken by Dr Hilary Cass should be compulsory reading in Australia.

The Cass Report presents a clear warning to those LGBTIQA+ activists arguing children and adolescents must have unrestricted freedom to take puberty blockers and undergo lifechanging surgery.

The NHS summary of the Cass Report states the “rationale for early puberty blockers remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental and psychological health”.

Unlike in Victoria, where it was legislated to make it illegal for parents, priests and doctors to warn against transitioning, Dr Cass argues clinical evidence about the practice is “poor quality” and there are “too many unknowns” about its efficacy.

Such is the uncertainty and danger of adopting a gender affirmation model of medical intervention, the NHS summary states for “most

young people, a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage their gender related distress”.

Instead of prioritising a young person’s desire to change their birth gender and sex, the NHS summary concludes that the “wider mental health and/or psychological challenges” must be addressed.

In addition to the NHS banning puberty blockers for those under 18, except when undertaken as part of a clinical trial, and closing gender clinics, the Cass Report recommends a holistic medical approach to treating gender confusion.

While the Cass Report does not call for a transitioning ban, it’s notable that, while arguing from very different perspectives and often disagreeing, the Catholic Church and author J.K. Rowling both question transgender theory. While accepting the inherent dignity of every person, including non-binary people, the Vatican document Human Dignity released in early April criticises gender ideology, especially transgender theory, for denying the “anthropological basis of the family”.

J.K. Rowling has long argued transwomen will always be male no matter how much they personally believe otherwise. Such is Rowling’s conviction she recently challenged Scotland’s legislation making it an offence to incite trans-hate speech. Over the last decade or so the number of children and teenagers seeking gender re-assignment has increased dramatically.

Based on the Cass Report, it is abundantly clear there needs to be an urgent rethink about prioritising gender affirmation – as is the common practice in Australia.