Thread by @KirstiMiller30

The disgusting transphobic discourse in some mainstream media publications, and the apparent dismissal of transgender people by our prime minister @ScottMorrisonMP , is extremely damaging to trans and gender-questioning children.

https://twitter.com/KirstiMiller30/status/1446066237100871680

The use of emotive phrases such as ‘castrating children’ is likely to create unwarranted concern and fear amongst the general public who have no personal experience of trans people and will influence their attitudes and perception of trans issues in a very negative way.

@ScottMorrisonMP , #Trump & many other far right conservative politicians & political parties using transgender children as a conservative rallying call to arms against progressive changes in society has lead to an increase in stigma, discrimination, social exclusion,

family rejection, bullying, harassment and assaults, and ultimately & has also lead to increased rates of self-harm and suicide in this vulnerable population.

The commentary on trans children in particular has been rejected by trans healthcare providers and the medical community more broadly. Dr Fiona Bisshop, a specialist in transgender healthcare and vice-president of the Sexual Health Society ..

of Queensland, called it factually incorrect and irresponsible. “The arguments regarding treatment of children are designed to be highly emotive and fearmongering and are not based on factual information,” said Bisshop, ...

.. who is a board member of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH).

“In fact, we know that it is the very absence of supportive, affirming care for trans children which is associated with the greatest morbidity in terms of mental health and suicidality, and even basic things like the ability to attend school.”

Some research suggests that up to 80 per cent of transgender and gender-fluid young people have self-harmed, and 48 per cent have attempted suicide.

AusPATH, Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and wellbeing of trans, gender-diverse and non-binary (TGD) people, has released a statement about The Australian’s reporting on trans issues. ...

.. It took particular issue with the paper’s reporting on the mental health of young trans people. “Our organisation is concerned that the reporting in The Australiannewspaper regarding health care provided to TGD children and adolescents is biased,...

“The reporting ignores available scientific evidence which strongly endorses supporting transgender children through social and medical transition to improve their mental health outcomes.

“It is well recognised that these poor mental health outcomes are not inherent to being transgender but are due to TGD individuals experiencing high levels of stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, family rejection, bullying, harassment and assaults.”

It is often difficult for the trans community, lacking public momentum, to defend against political and social movements that seek to encroach on our rights and safety.

For the trans community itself, every step forward is accompanied by a taxing and violent response that can be devastatingly harmful in its own right.