Position Statements
AusPATH wishes to express deep concern at the New Zealand Government’s decision to restrict access to puberty blockers. This action departs from established clinical evidence, undermines multidisciplinary care, and places trans young people and their families at increased and avoidable risk. Restricting puberty blockers removes a safe, reversible intervention that helps stabilise distress and allows time for decision-making, forcing families toward harder, faster choices or into crisis. International experience shows such bans increase pressure on emergency and mental health services and drive vulnerable young people toward unsafe alternatives. AusPATH urges the New Zealand Government to reconsider this approach and encourages all governments to follow evidence-based care, clinical expertise, and the voices of trans young people and their families.
- AusPATH Endorses APA Policy Statement on Affirming Evidence-Based Inclusive Care for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Nonbinary Individuals, Addressing Misinformation, and the Role of Psychological Practice and Science AusPATH Endorses APAThis policy statement affirms APA’s support for unobstructed access to health care and evidence-based clinical care for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary children, adolescents, and adults. Furthermore, this policy statement addresses the spread of misleading and unfounded narratives that mischaracterize gender dysphoria and affirming care, likely resulting in further stigmatization, marginalization, and lack of access to… Read more: AusPATH Endorses APA Policy Statement on Affirming Evidence-Based Inclusive Care for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Nonbinary Individuals, Addressing Misinformation, and the Role of Psychological Practice and Science AusPATH Endorses APA
- AusPATH endorses AMA Position Statement on LGBTQIASB+ Health 2023The AMA affirms that people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and/or Gender Diverse, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Sistergirl, and Brotherboy (LGBTQIASB+) in Australia thrive in healthcare environments where they feel safe, affirmed, respected and understood. https://auspath.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LGBTQIASB-Position-Statement-2023-1.pdf
- Statement on NHS England Interim Clinical Policy: “Puberty suppressing hormones for the purpose of puberty suppression for children and adolescents who have gender incongruence/dysphoria”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. The NHS England has recently released a Clinical Policy advising… Read more: Statement on NHS England Interim Clinical Policy: “Puberty suppressing hormones for the purpose of puberty suppression for children and adolescents who have gender incongruence/dysphoria”
- AusPATH calls upon Australian Health Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough review of doctors’ conflict of interestsThe 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… Read more: AusPATH calls upon Australian Health Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough review of doctors’ conflict of interests
- AusPATH response to Elkadi, J.; Chudleigh, C.;Maguire, A.M.; Ambler, G.R.; Scher,S.; Kozlowska, K. Developmental Pathway Choices of Young People Presenting to a Gender Service with Gender Distress: A Prospective Follow-Up Study. Children 2023, 10, 314.https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020314 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 450 experienced professionals working across Australia. Elkadi et al (2023) recently published a research paper… Read more: AusPATH response to Elkadi, J.; Chudleigh, C.;Maguire, A.M.; Ambler, G.R.; Scher,S.; Kozlowska, K. Developmental Pathway Choices of Young People Presenting to a Gender Service with Gender Distress: A Prospective Follow-Up Study. Children 2023, 10, 314.
- AusPATH statement about the Interim Service Specification for the Specialist Service for Children and Young People with Gender Dysphoria (Phase 1 Providers) by NHS EnglandIn August 2022, AusPATH issued a position statement about the interim report of the Independent Review of gender identity services for children and young people. NHS England has now issued an interim service specification for “Phase 1” services pending establishment of new regional services in England. https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/specialised-commissioning/gender-dysphoria-services/ AusPATH has major reservations about this interim service… Read more: <strong>AusPATH statement about the Interim Service Specification for the Specialist Service for Children and Young People with Gender Dysphoria (Phase 1 Providers) by NHS England</strong>
- AusPATH Statement: Gender Affirmative ApproachesThe 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 450 experienced professionals working across Australia. The AusPATH Board of Directors makes the following statement in… Read more: AusPATH Statement: Gender Affirmative Approaches
- AusPATH Statement about the Independent Review of gender identity services for children and young people: Interim report February 2022 in the UK (Cass review)There have been articles in the Australian media recently about the Cass Review. These articles have misleadingly suggested that the recommended closure of the Gender Identity Development Service by the Cass review is due to “safety fears” and “rushing children into treatment”. These articles have prompted this statement by the Board of AusPATH. The Board… Read more: AusPATH Statement about the Independent Review of gender identity services for children and young people: Interim report February 2022 in the UK (Cass review)
- AusPATH Statement on Interim Report of The UK Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (The Cass Review)The AusPATH Board is aware that The Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (The Cass Review) in the UK has issued an interim report. Here is a link to their executive summary. The AusPATH Board is aware that certain publications are trying to use this report to argue for change… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Interim Report of The UK Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (The Cass Review)
- AusPATH Statement on UK Bell v Tavistock Appeal DecisionThe Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) was established in 2009 and is the national peak body representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights and wellbeing of all trans people – binary and non-binary. The AusPATH membership comprises over 300 experienced professionals working across Australia. Here is the full judgment… Read more: AusPATH Statement on UK Bell v Tavistock Appeal Decision
- AusPATH: Public Statement on Gender Affirming Healthcare, including for Trans Youth26 June 2021 Trans people, including women, men, non-binary people and those who are gender diverse (henceforth trans people), experience their gender as incongruent to that presumed for and assigned to them at birth (e.g. Coleman et al, 2012; WMA, 2017). This contrasts with cisgender (cis) people, whose gender is congruent to that presumed for… Read more: AusPATH: Public Statement on Gender Affirming Healthcare, including for Trans Youth
- AusPATH Statement on Legal Gender RecognitionThe Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) recognises the right of all people to legal identity recognition and to identity documents consistent with their gender identity. Further, for optimal physical and mental health, all persons must enjoy the right to freely express their gender identity, whether or not that identity conforms to the expectations… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Legal Gender Recognition
- AusPATH Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (otherwise commonly known as Conversion or Reparative Practices)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 well-being of all trans people – binary and non-binary. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia. We are aware that, worldwide, members of sexual and gender… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (otherwise commonly known as Conversion or Reparative Practices)
- AusPATH Statement on Margaret Court as Companion of the Order of AustraliaThe 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 well-being of all trans people, including those who are gender diverse and non-binary. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia. We express our dismay at the… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Margaret Court as Companion of the Order of Australia
- AusPATH Statement on Bell v. TavistockThe 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 well-being of all trans people, including those who are gender diverse and non-binary. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia. AusPATH has serious concerns regarding the… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Bell v. Tavistock
- Response to Bell v. Tavistock Judgment from WPATH, EPATH, USPATH, AsiaPATH, CPATH, AusPATH, PATHAStatement Regarding Medical Affirming Treatment including Puberty Blockers for Transgender Adolescents The Boards of Directors of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the European Association for Transgender Health (EPATH), the United States Professional Association for Transgender health (USPATH), the Asian Association for Transgender Health (AsiaPATH), the Canadian Association for Transgender Health (CPATH), the… Read more: Response to Bell v. Tavistock Judgment from WPATH, EPATH, USPATH, AsiaPATH, CPATH, AusPATH, PATHA
- AusPATH Statement on Medical Gender Affirmation and Re ImogenThe 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 well-being of all trans people, including those who are gender diverse and non-binary. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia. We wish to first and foremost… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Medical Gender Affirmation and Re Imogen
- AusPATH Statement on Black Lives MatterThe Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), established in 2009, is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and wellbeing of trans people, including those who are binary, non-binary and gender diverse. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 300 experienced professionals working across Australia. AusPATH stands in solidarity with advocates across Australia,… Read more: AusPATH Statement on Black Lives Matter
- AusPATH and PATHA Welcome RACP Advice to Australian Minister Greg HuntThe Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), established in 2009 as the Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health, is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and wellbeing of trans people, including those who are gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB). The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 300 experienced professionals… Read more: AusPATH and PATHA Welcome RACP Advice to Australian Minister Greg Hunt
- AusPATH Supports Inclusion of Gender Identity in the 2021 Australian CensusThe Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) was established in 2009 (previously as the Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health) and is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and well-being of trans, including gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB), people. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals… Read more: AusPATH Supports Inclusion of Gender Identity in the 2021 Australian Census
- Genital ExaminationsGenital examination should not be an automatic part of an assessment process that enables trans people – binary and non-binary – to access gender affirming healthcare. The AusPATH Board of Directors wishes to make clear that this practice is not in keeping with the majority view of health providers in this space. We state emphatically… Read more: Genital Examinations
- AusPATH Position Statement on “Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)”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 well-being of trans, including gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB), people. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia. The term “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)” is not… Read more: AusPATH Position Statement on “Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)”