Greens challenge Labour attacks on gender affirming care
Following the announcement by Wes Streeting that UK Labour will indefinitely ban the prescription of puberty blockers for young people, Scottish Greens spokesperson for equalities Maggie Chapman MSP issued a statement.
Ms Chapman said:
“Wes Streeting says it is ‘not easy being a trans kid in our country today’ but his decision will make the lives of these young people even harder.
“The prescription of blockers is a very small part of gender identity clinic pathways within Scotland, with under-16s primarily receiving talking therapies. This medication is a lifeline to some who live with gender dysphoria while they await adulthood.
“Puberty brings further divergence between trans people’s gender identity and assigned sex. Their lives are put on hold, often for decades, until they can receive the proper care and medical treatment they need to live authentically.
“There is already widely accepted prescribing of hormones for cis teenagers, to regulate periods for example. Why should trans teens not be given the same access to healthcare?
“The Scottish Greens will be writing to the First Minister to see what can be done to protect young trans people in Scotland, and trans people’s fundamental human right to receive adequate healthcare.”