Mum wins appeal over daughter’s access to ‘irreversible’ sex-swap drugs

A mother has successfully protected her 16-year-old daughter from receiving “irreversible” trans drugs.

The anonymous mum, who is only being referred to as ‘O’, appealed an earlier High Court decision to allow the gender-confused daughter known as ‘Q’ to obtain cross-sex hormones. The father, who backs the original ruling, pushed for the appeal to be dismissed.

But the Court of Appeal has now ruled in the mother’s favour, concluding that her concerns should not be set aside, “at least” until private clinic Gender Plus has completed its six-month assessment of her daughter.

‘Doubts’

The three appeal judges ruled that, in light of “current doubt as to what is proper and appropriate in this area”, it may be necessary for a future court to determine whether it is in the child’s best interests to receive cross-sex hormones.

They warned that the High Court did not “place enough weight” on the fact that private gender clinics cannot fulfil all of the Cass Review’s recommendations, such as the involvement of a national Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Under the ruling, Q will be protected from the drugs until she turns 18, pending another court decision.

‘Terrifying’

O stated: “I am so pleased that the court has carefully considered the evidence and made the best possible decision for her safety, and for the safety of all children who are struggling with their identity as they go through puberty.

“The last two years have been painful, exhausting and terrifying. I miss my daughter horribly and can only hope that, one day, she will realise how very hard her Mum has worked to keep her safe.”

Paul Conrathe of Sinclairslaw, which is representing O, added that the Court of Appeal’s judgment is “a recognition of the irreversible and life-altering nature of these treatments”.

Puberty blockers

Earlier this month, a UK-wide ban on the sale or supply of puberty-blocking drugs to gender-confused children was extended ‘indefinitely’, but this does not apply to cross-sex hormones.

Researchers from the Dutch University Medical Center Groningen have shown that most children grow out of ‘gender non-contentedness’ with age.

The study followed 2,772 children from age eleven until 25, to assess how their feelings towards their own gender changed over time.

It concluded: “The results of the current study might help adolescents to realize that it is normal to have some doubts about one’s identity and one’s gender identity during this age period and that this is also relatively common.”