The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) was established in 2009 and is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and wellbeing of all trans people – binary and non-binary. The AusPATH membership comprises over 600 experienced professionals working across Australia.
AusPATH firmly stands by the ethical responsibility of medical professionals to offer unbiased, evidence-based care to all individuals, regardless of personal beliefs.
Recently, it has come to our attention that two doctors, utilising their professional status, have publicly called for the cancellation of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Their statements, invoking their medical credentials, have misrepresented research and practice surrounding gender-affirming care.
AusPATH calls upon the Australian Health Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough review of the conflicts of interest among doctors who let their personal moral or religious judgments influence their professional obligations. Healthcare professionals must prioritise the well-being of their patients, adhering to the highest standards of evidence-based care without letting personal biases interfere.
We believe in fostering an environment where all individuals, especially those from marginalised communities, can access care that respects their identity and rights. AusPATH will continue to advocate for the integrity of gender-affirming care and the necessity of upholding ethical standards within the medical profession.