Two state MPs have jointly hosted an event in the Victorian parliament called “Child Safeguarding and Consent Forum”. Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick and Liberal Party Legislative Council member Bev McArthur invited de-transitioners and medical practitioners to speak to other parliamentarians, the media and members of the community.

The panel agreed that “the ‘affirmation model’ of care is causing irreversible harm to children, and undermining the parent-child relationship.”

The group — who included “detransitioners” Jay Langadinos and Mel Jeffries, Queensland Children’s Hospital child psychiatrist Jillian Spencer, child and adolescent psychiatrist Peter Parry, paediatrician Dylan Wilson, plastic surgeon Ramin Shayan, Queensland Law School emeritus professor Patrick Parkinson and senior legal counsel Mark Sneddon — called for an urgent inquiry into Victoria’s conversion therapy laws.

Dr Jillian Spencer, a senior psychiatrist from the Queensland Children’s Hospital, was stood down for sharing concerns about the effects puberty blockers have on children. 

“The research studies indicate that treatment with puberty blockers does not lead to improvements in mood or psychosocial functioning, or in the symptoms of gender dysphoria.

“There is no evidence they reduce the risk of suicide,” Dr Spencer said.

She said treatment with cross sex hormones led to “lifelong implications of infertility, impaired sexual function and irreversible changes to the body, as well as the physical health side effects, consequences and risks.”

“The affirmation model undermines the parent-child relationship and the entire structure of the family by putting the parents in a weak and frightened position,” Dr Spencer said. “This is because the gender clinicians provide false information to parents that without gender affirming care, their child will … likely die by suicide.”

The increasing number of people experiencing trans regret and sharing disturbing stories of the deception that led them to believe they could change their sex is horrifying. No one can change their sex. Being made medical patients for life does not resolve the underlying issues that lead to gender confusion in the first place.

It is essential that these detransitioners’ stories are heard and that politicians take note of the irreversible harm being done to extremely vulnerable young people.

Politicians, both state and federal, must stop bowing down to radical activists and instead agree to a comprehensive inquiry that will result in the best care and outcomes for our nation’s youth.