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Over a thousand of us rallied today in support of protecting trans kids. #protecttranskids #transrights #transrightsnow #protecttransyouth

Drummond Street Services expresses deep concern over the federal government's announcement of a review into gender-affirming healthcare for young people. In the current political climate, this move sends a troubling message, especially considering the escalating attacks on transgender rights in the United States. Notably, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order enforcing binary gender classifications on federal documents and restricting taxpayer-funded gender-affirming healthcare, actions that have sparked fear and anxiety within the trans and non-binary community.

As Australia approaches its federal elections, there is growing apprehension about a potential shift to the right, which could further jeopardise the rights and well-being of transgender people. It is imperative that healthcare decisions remain in the hands of qualified professionals, free from political interference.

Karen Field, CEO of Drummond Street Services, emphasises, "The government needs to leave healthcare to healthcare professionals and not make gender affirmation a political issue. This concerns the welfare of vulnerable young people, and they are playing with their lives."

We urge the government to prioritise the health and safety of transgender youth by supporting evidence-based, gender-affirming care and to refrain from politicising essential healthcare services and we send our solidarity to all those negatively impacted by the increased levels of transphobic rhetoric during this time.

Re-post from the @Trans Justice Project

All young people deserve to grow up healthy, happy, and with the freedom to be themselves. For many trans kids, gender affirming care is life-changing, and often life-saving, healthcare.
That’s why it’s so appalling that Health Minister Tim Nicholls has announced today that the Queensland Government will be pausing prescribing puberty blockers and HRT to new public health patients under the age of 18.
This announcement has come as a shock. Instead of meeting with the parents, families, and young people who rely on this care, the Minister has made the decision to effectively ban vital health care. They have also dismissed the findings of the previous inquiry into trans health care, and are instead commissioning their own review to better suit their anti-equality agenda.
This attack on evidence-based healthcare should come as a warning.
We have seen in the US how attacks on the healthcare of trans youth was only the first step in Trump's campaign to take away people’s right to make decisions about their own lives and bodies – including the right to an abortion.
It doesn’t have to go that way here. If we act quickly we can turn this around, and stop our government taking away our rights, freedom, and healthcare now.
Send an email and call Tim Nicholls’ office today and demand that he reverses this damaging decision.
Now is the time to step up. We need to make our voices so loud that the Queensland Government is forced to pay attention. If you are looking for a way to support trans people please share this action through your networks and help us turn this decision around.
Contact Tim Nicholls today and demand that he reverses this attack on trans kids.
Phone: (07) 3035 6100
Email: health@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Stay tuned for further actions. We’re just getting started.
*This decision is a pause on new patients in the public system. According to the statement, people who are currently receiving care will not be affected by this announcement.

We're thrilled to announce our latest training programs at the Centre for Family Research and Evaluation (CFRE), designed to empower and support diverse communities. Our offerings include:

*** Breaking out of the Binary: A queer feminist approach to family violence practice.

*** Intersectional Practice: Applying Drummond Street's Seven Elements model to unpack intersectionality in practice.

*** New Parents, New Possibilities: Supporting new LGBTIQA+ parents through the transition to parenthood.

These sessions are available both in-person and online, tailored to meet the specific needs of your team or organisation. Join us in fostering inclusive and informed practices. For more details or to register, visit our website or contact us at training@ds.org.au.

#CFRETraining #InclusivePractice #LGBTIQA+Support https://buff.ly/413nWal

The Ready, Steady…Family! program offers all parents and carers/guardians support information, practical help and fun activities during pregnancy / while awaiting a child’s arrival, and the first 24 months of parenthood.

When parents feel happy and mentally and physically healthy – children benefit significantly.

LGBTIQA+ identifying and/or specialist practitioners are available upon request for counselling and Family Foundations.

If you are feeling worried or down or stressed about any aspect of adjusting to being a parent just give us a call.

We will explain what Ready, Steady ... Family! can offer you, including:

• Parent support – reassuring parenting coaches who can use ZOOM, phone calls, face to face (sometimes in your home) to support and advise you
• Groups – earn skills, make connections and attend Musical Fun for Bubs, Circle of Security, Understanding Baby’s cues, groups for non-birthing parents/parents who may not be primary carers, and one-on-one chats with a non-birthing parent or grandparenting worker
• Counselling via Zoom or phone or in person to address any worries you may have
• Help solving relationship problems that may pop up during this challenging time
• A 6–10 session Zoom course in cooperative parenting called Family Foundations
• Links to other local services that you may need

To register or for more info contact intake@ds.org.au or 03 9663 6733 .

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) are working with the Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ and project lead) and the Centre for Family Research and Evaluation (CFRE) at Drummond Street Services on The IVY Study - Towards an Australian response to the use of Intimate partner Violence by Young people project. The project aims to build understanding of the extent to which young people’s use of intimate partner violence (IPV) can be understood as distinct from adult-perpetrated violence. It will also explore how services and agencies across Australia are currently responding to this cohort, the study is funded by ANROWS and the NSW Women's Safety Commission.

Drummond Street Services/ Queerspace wholeheartedly endorse this National Day of Action to protect Trans Youth and we will proudly be marching across Victoria to send a message loud and clear that gender affirming health care is not just life changing and life saving!

Let's tell the government to leave gender affirming healthcare alone!

Join us at the National Day of Action this weekend!

#TransRightsNow #ProtectTransYouth <3

Want to come and work with us? Become our next LGBTIQA+ Mental Health Peer Support Worker in Geelong! Apply today: https://buff.ly/40DDnFM