2020 was a particularly hard year for the trans and non-binary community. Not only were we struck by the morbid, isolating restrictions of lockdown, but we faced increasing global violence (particularly against trans people of colour), transphobic tirades, and the implementation of devastating policy by Liz Truss.
Now, against the advice of healthcare professionals, court orders have halted puberty blockers being given out at The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust (the London-based Gender Identity Development Service), thereby restricting the access of these drugs to under-16 trans youths. Amid this backdrop of hostility, violence, prejudice, and isolation a group of artists came together during lockdown to resiliently forge a creative trans community.
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which runs the London-based Gender Identity Development Service, has begun an appeals process (Getty)
The NHS trust that runs the UK’s only gender identity clinic for transgender children has begun the process of appealing the High Court’s ruling on puberty blockers.
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which runs the London-based Gender Identity Development Service, has been forced to pause endocrinology referrals in the wake of the High Court’s ruling earlier this month.
The court ruled that most teens would be incapable of giving informed consent for puberty blockers, with the judges arguing it is “doubtful” those aged 14 to 15 could understand “the long-term risks and consequences” of taking blockers and subsequent hormone therapy, and that it is “highly unlikely” younger children could consent.