The team at AIM for the Rainbow have written an open letter airing our concerns about the puberty blocker ban. The open letter at a glance:

• The use of puberty blockers can broadly be seen as an important tool for upholding the legal obligations outlined in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
• Puberty blockers are a tried and tested medical intervention that has been safely used for many years. They provide trans and gender-diverse youth with the time and space to explore their identities and make informed decisions about their futures.
• A ban on puberty blockers will have life-threatening consequences for the health and well-being of trans youth, leading to increased distress, depression, and suicidality.
• Denying access to this essential care is a direct attack on bodily autonomy and the principles of informed consent.
• A ban on puberty blockers contravenes international law including the UN Convention on The Rights of The Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Given that the ban on puberty blockers has only been applied to transgender and gender-diverse youth, it is our opinion that HM Government has failed to protect this group against discrimination and incitement to discrimination.

The Autistic community widely and with great indignation condemns the recent ban on puberty blockers for transgender youth and demands its immediate reversal.

We call on the government to listen to the voices of those most affected and to prioritize the health and well-being of all young people.

Click here to read our open letter in full and sign it.