02/02/2025
The double-standard of liberal and conservative parties in Australia makes itself known when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, especially ones related to transgender people. Transgender healthcare is held to an incredibly high, unrealistic standard, moreso than 'mainstream' health.
For example, in no other field of medicine are high regret rates used to attack healthcare. Specialist malpractice would never lead to the government scuttling plastic surgeries or other medical practices, but a small amount of specialists 'breaking the rules' is enough for the state to clamp down and restrict trans healthcare.
If it isn't obvious enough already - the state isn't restricting trans healthcare to 'help' trans kids, they're doing it to force them into being 'normal' (whether they admit it or not). It is a barbaric practice informed by a deeply patriarchal, paternalistic worldview where children are the property of their parents, not autonomous human beings who can make their own (flawed) decisions.
Recent restrictions of trans healthcare for under 18s in Queensland is concerning, especially if it spreads to other states. The solution is clear: the state has no right to restrict essential, life-saving healthcare from groups of people on arbitrary grounds. It is an attack against the democratic rights of transgender children (and transgender people in general), and an attack against universal healthcare. It is a discriminatory move that would otherwise be considered unacceptable if it was applied anywhere else.
Socialists support LGBTQ+ people and the cause of q***r liberation, which won't come from voting in nicer governments or asking the prime minister nicely. Q***r liberation is only possible by building an emancipated society (Socialism).
You should go to a rally on February 8th if there's one near you, or organise one of your own.
