E1: Opposition to recent High Court decision and working towards improving access to transitioning

Notes:

- On the 1st of December the High court of England ruled that they were
"doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand the long-term effect" of
puberty blocking drugs.

- Individuals aged under 16 who wish to have puberty blockers through the NHS
Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) will have to go through a lengthy
consultation process as well as a court appearance.

- This in effect causes transgender youth aged 13 - 15 to face an uphill battle
to access the ability to transition.

- Puberty blockers have been shown to reduce lifelong suicidality in trans
individuals as they provide time for trans individuals with gender dysphoria
time to fully understand their identity so they know how to proceed in society
as well as preventing the development of secondary sex characteristics which
many trans youth can find distressing. (see study Pubertal Suppression for
Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation (nih.gov) )

Believes:

- That the court’s decision is wrong and must be appealed.

- That this will create a barrier to transitioning and further the already
existing inequality in access to services associated with transitioning.

- That this will cause mental harm and uncertainty to transgender youth under
the age of 16 and potentially increase the rates of depression, anxiety and
suicidality in transgender youth.

Resolves:

- To fully support any appeal submitted by The Tavistock and Portman NHS
foundation trust.

- To instruct the Young Greens executive committee to campaign for increased
accessibility for transgender youth to transition.

- To push back against further and future threats to transgender healthcare.