Gender affirming care is essential healthcare. It should be accessible and affordable to everyone.
The Greens are calling on Labor to invest in and expand comprehensive gender affirming healthcare services in Victoria.
Far right groups and political parties across the country are flouting the advice of human rights organisations and medical experts by blocking access to essential healthcare for trans and gender diverse young people.
Gender affirming care is lifesaving.
These healthcare services are currently out of reach for many people. The Labor Government needs to invest in more free public clinics. It must be affordable. It must be accessible. And we need it now.
Sign the open letter to call on the Premier to urgently expand and fund this lifesaving healthcare.
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Dear Premier,
Re: Urgently expand and invest in gender affirming healthcare.
Gender affirming healthcare is essential healthcare. It should be accessible and affordable to everyone.
The far-right lobby is conducting a campaign of hate-filled misinformation surrounding gender affirming healthcare. In response, the Liberal National party in Queensland has blocked access to life-saving medication for trans and gender diverse people under the age of 18.
This goes against the expert advice of medical professionals, human rights groups, and recent investigations into transgender healthcare. This healthcare saves lives, supports our community and needs immediate investment and expansion.
A report by Coroner Ingrid Giles, which investigated the deaths of five trans women during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, made clear that medical discrimination and lack of investment into transgender healthcare were major contributing factors into the deaths of these women.
To quote Coroner Giles herself, "There should not be a myriad of horror stories circulating in the community as to what could happen if you walk through the wrong door to get support. There should be no wrong door."
Currently, it takes too long to access gender affirming care in Victoria, and can be extremely expensive. We need more publicly funded services that can provide holistic gender affirming care without massive waitlists or huge fees.
Premier, please act on the recommendations of Coroner Ingrid Giles and urgently expand and invest in gender affirming healthcare in Victoria.
Ellen Sandell MP, Leader of the Victorian Greens
Aiv Puglielli MP
Dr Tim Read MP
Anasina Gray Barberio MP
Gabrielle De Vietri MP
Katherine Copsey MP
Dr Sarah Mansfield MP