Queensland‘s oldest trans rights organisation has threatened to ‘out’ secretly queer politicians if the state doesn’t lift a five-year puberty blockers ban.
The Queensland Transgender Gender Diverse and Non-Binary Association (QTrans) announced the controversial move following a declaration from the state government on Friday.
It called for all queer organisations to ban LNP members ‘from attending any public facing event and from endorsing any state government policy’ as part of a ‘pink ban’.
The group also threatened to ‘out’ closeted members of Liberal National Party (LNP) if it did not reverse the new legislation, which blocks minors from accessing puberty blockers.
‘If they want a war with the trans community, it’s coming. We will out every silent queer member of their party who supports the mistreatment of trans children,’ QTrans said in a statement.
QTrans president Brianna Hammond defended the group’s threat as a direct response to the new ‘barbaric’ laws.
‘They have just put their fingers in their ears, they’re not listening to any feedback whatsoever from trans healthcare experts and they haven’t taken a word of our advice on board,’ Ms Hammond said.
‘We have the information to out queer people in the LNP who voted for this, and we’ll let that play on the minds of those in government.
QTrans has threatened to ‘out’ closeted queer politicians if Queensland does not lift the ban on puberty blockers for minors (pictured, a protest related to the ban in August)
‘This is not something we can do lightly, we are very mindful that some people will see this as a violent act.
‘But the ball is in their court. The more sensible option is for the party to sit down with us to find a sensible solution rather than ignoring us and ignoring health experts.’
State Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced the decision to extend the ban through to 2031 following the completion of a 530-page review into Queensland’s gender affirming care model.
The report, by Victoria’s former chief psychiatrist Professor Ruth Vine, found evidence supporting the use of puberty blockers in adolescents was very limited while patients’ bone health and fertility was negatively impacted.
Nicholls cited that lack of evidence during his announcement on Friday.
‘These decisions were made with the safety and wellbeing of Queensland children front and centre, and we will continue to treat this matter with the respect and sensitivity it deserves,’ a spokeswoman for Nicholls told the Courier Mail.
In February there were at least 500 children waiting to be approved for puberty blockers and gender-affirming medication in the Queensland health system.
That number is expected to jump with the extension of the ban.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls (pictured) on Friday cited limited evidence supporting to long-term benefits of puberty blockers versus its known side effects on bone and fertility health
‘As the queer community, we need to step up and put unbelievable pressure on this government to reverse its decision,’ Ms Hammond said.
QTrans has since removed its statement threatening to ‘out’ politicians.
‘The post of 20th December by the QTrans President calling for a “Pink Ban Against The LNP” has been taken down pending a full board of management meeting to be held as soon as practicable,’ QTrans secretary Fran Mulcahy said.
‘Much of the original post is in line with the board’s beliefs we need time to clarify some of the details and language used.’
Daily Mail has contacted QTrans for further comment.