Dear Member of Parliament
We write to you on behalf of LabourLGB, a coalition of Labour Party members campaigning for lesbian, gay and bisexual rights.
We are profoundly concerned by the Government’s proposal to conduct trials involving the use of puberty blockers on children and young people, the vast majority of whom will be gay, lesbian and bisexual.
We urge you to oppose these trials. Our concerns are as follows:
Impact on LGB Youth – there is a risk that normal experiences of growing up gay, lesbian or bisexual (LGB) are being medicalised. Many young people who question their gender identity later come to realise they are LGB. We believe that encouraging a watchful, supportive approach is preferable to rushing into medical interventions that may have devastating consequences.
Potential for Harm – research points to possible long-term adverse effects of puberty blockers, including impacts on fertility, bone density, cognitive development and sexual function. The principle of ‘first, do no harm’ must guide all NHS interventions, especially those involving vulnerable LGB young people.
Lack of Evidence for Safety and Efficacy – there remains insufficient long-term evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers on children. In the first instance, it would be optimal for medical follow-up among those who were treated at the Tavistock clinic before embarking on further trials.
Informed Consent – we are concerned that young LGB people, especially those under 18, are not always able to fully understand the lifelong implications of such treatments. The complexity of gender dysphoria, and the potential for co-occurring mental health issues, necessitate a cautious and evidence-based approach.
We are proud that the Labour Party has always stood up for LGB rights. And we are proud the Party has always stood up for the health and welfare of children and young people.
But we believe that supporting risky medical trials on LGB children are not in keeping with our party’s values.
We urge you to:
- Oppose the trials on puberty blockers for LGB children and young people.
- Raise the issue in Parliament. This issue has today won the support over over 100,000+ in a parliamentary petition.
- Make representations to the Health Secretary who has the power to cancel these trials.
- Call for a thorough, independent review of all evidence – including the voices of ‘detransitioners’ and LGB youth – before any trials are considered.
- Call for the trials to be stopped and for the Data Linkage Study recommended by Cass on the 2000 children already treated by Tavistock GIDS, to be completed and reported.
- Advocate for supportive care for all young people experiencing gender distress, prioritising psychological support and safeguarding, rather than puberty blockers which could result in infertility.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our concerns in more detail. Do get in touch.
Best wishes.
