
A warning that the following story contains mentions of self-harm as well as content that may be distressing to some listeners.
The Queensland government last week placed a temporary pause on access to hormone therapy treatments and puberty blockers for the state’s minors, until their independent review into the healthcare service comes to a close.
The review was sparked after reports that gender-affirming hormones had been provided to children as young as 12 at the far north Cairns Sexual Health Service without proper parental and medical authorisation.
However, an independent review by the Queensland Children’s Gender Service (QCGS) in 2024 found children with gender dysphoria were not being rushed into receiving treatment, and instead uncovered that a lack of funding has blown out waitlists.
Patients already actively receiving treatment will be exempt from the ban.
Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman says he is gravely concerned that this statewide crackdown could extend across the nation, have serious ramifications for the trans community, and halt further improvements to the standards of care and access of these treatments. I spoke with Michael to learn more.
Image description: Protest of the Religious Discrimination Bill by LGBTQIA+ Activists in Sydney, Australia (February 12, 2022) Nikolas Gannon//Unsplash

Your 11AM Zedlines with Asha and Yuchen (Image via Wikicommons Media)

Your 10AM Zedlines with Charlie, Dan and Ethan (Image via Flickr)

Your 9AM Zedlines with Asha and Yuchen (Image via Flickr)

Your 8AM Zedlines with Charlie, Dan and Ethan (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 8am zedlines with Vivek, Sarah, Em and Alec.

Your 11AM Zedlines with Georgie and Hailey

Your 10AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Cass

Your 9AM Zedlines with Hailey and Georgie.

Your 8AM Zedlines with Cass and Lachlan

Students at a high school in Brisbane are snubbing the school bus service over concerns of repeated late slips, with parents reporting bus delays as long as 20 minutes.

Your 10AM Zedlines with Clementine, Livinia and Jules

Your 9AM Zedlines with Clementine, Livinia and Jules

Your 8AM Zedlines with Clementine, Livinia and Jules

Your 11am Zedlines with Ellen, Sarah and Alannah
(Image Wikicommons)

Your 10am Zedlines with Niamh and Miko

Your 9am Zedlines with Ellen, Sarah and Alannah

Your 8am Zedlines with Niamh and Miko
(image via wikicommons)

Your 11AM Zedlines with Asha and Ethan (Image via NBC News)

Your 10AM Zedlines with Ava, Dan and Yuchen (Image via Wikicommons)

Your 9AM Zedlines with Asha and Ethan. (Image via Wikimedia)

Your 8AM Zedlines with Ava, Dan and Yuchen (Image via Wikimedia)

Your 11AM Zedlines with Eden, Sarah, and Vivek

Your 10AM Zedlines with Sarah and Alec

Your 9AM Zedlines with Eden, Vivek, and Alec.

Your 8AM Zedlines with Alec, Sarah, and Vivek.

Your 11AM Zedlines with Hailey and Lachlan
Image Credit: MTSOfan

Your 10AM Zedlines with Cass and Georgie.

Your 9AM Zedlines with Hailey and Lachlan