Wes Streeting’s move to make the Conservative’s temporary ban on puberty blockers permanent has been met with outcry from Trans+ people and their allies.
The restrictions were initially implemented under the leadership of Victoria Atkins, Streeting’s predecessor as Health Secretary, after the publication of the Cass Report in April said more research was needed.
In a lengthy thread posted to X (formerly Twitter), Streeting – who was just 528 votes away from losing his seat in Ilford North in the general election – said he is “treading cautiously in this area because the safety of children must come first”.
He continued: “Cass Review found there is not enough evidence about the long-term impact of puberty blockers for gender incongruence to know whether they are safe or not, nor which children might benefit from them.
“The evidence should have been established before they were ever prescribed.”
Streeting’s decision has caused a split in Labour, with MPs such as Nadia Whittome and Zarah Sultana publicly opposing his position.
He has also been criticised for failing to address the fact that studies have shown Trans+ people to be at a much greater risk of suicide than their cis peers, with many describing puberty blockers as “lifesaving”.
Munroe Bergdorf, a Trans+ activist and campaigner, said the “news will be weighing heavily on the minds and hearts of Trans youth and their families, who deserve support and solutions, not more government overreach and yet more gatekeeping.
“Gender-affirming healthcare is life-saving for so many. Banning it for trans youth who benefit from it, is reckless, cruel, and it will cost lives.”
Below, see how more Trans+ people and their allies reacted to Streeting’s decision.
“This ‘debate’ is utterly irritating for all Trans people and the fact that this is Mr Streeting’s focus is exasperating. Politicians always gain points by targeting the most victimised and vulnerable members of society.”
Dr Ronx, Emergency Medicine Doctor and Activist
“Forcing a young Trans person to go through a puberty they explicitly do not want, in the hope it will ‘save’ them by making them cis, is torture. It means irreversible changes to their body – which they are telling you will ruin their life, by making them stand out.”
India Willoughby, Broadcaster and Journalist
“Puberty blockers would have saved me years of completely unnecessary suffering. I can’t undo my teenage years. The trauma and problems it caused me are irreversible. Please don’t force that on young people today who feel like I did then. This affects real people. Listen to us.”
Paris Lees, Author
“This news will be weighing heavily on the minds and hearts of Trans youth and their families, who deserve support and solutions, not more government overreach and yet more gatekeeping. Gender affirming healthcare is life-saving for so many. Banning it for Trans youth who benefit from it, is reckless, cruel, and it will cost lives.”
Munroe Bergdorf, Activist
“In light of Labour’s move to permanently ban puberty blockers for Trans+ kids we’re going to need help to keep our kids alive. Despite working on this wonderful campaign I’m personally at the point of emotional exhaustion and the realisation that the work needs to extend beyond words of solidarity. It’s devastating to hear from kids and parents that are at the point of total desperation. Words need to backed up with action.”
Jude Guaitamacchi, Activist
“Only a small number of young people are prescribed puberty blockers. Those who are often describe them as life-saving. I know the distress the puberty blockers ban is causing them. No matter what happens in court, I will continue fighting for the government to scrap it.”
Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East
“Labour’s manifesto promised to ‘remove indignities for Trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance’. That entails ending the Tories’ ban on puberty blockers. Young people – cis and Trans – must have access to healthcare they need. I’ll always stand with the Trans community.”
Zarah Sultana, Labour MP for Coventry South
“Why is a politician overriding trained professionals’ judgement? Why are these assessments not being made by those who are medically trained who can take into full account the person in front of them? And why no recognition of all about suicide risk in young trans people?”
Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party
“So Labour is simultaneously going to stop conversion therapy – promised in the King’s Speech – and forcibly detransition under 18s – promised by Wes Streeting? How does that cohere as a policy platform?”
Jo Maugham, Director of the Good Law Project
“A permanent ban on puberty blockers will devastate the lives of so many Trans people. So many Trans people, and their families, are terrified right now, with very few journalists even willing to hear them. And that terror has been caused by a Labour government. Shameful.”
Owen Jones, Journalist
