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Queensland Supreme Court Restores Access to Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Minors
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On October 27, 2025, the Queensland Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision for LGBTQ+ rights by overturning the state's ban on puberty blockers for minors. Justice Peter Callaghan ruled that the Queensland government had not adequately consulted medical professionals prior to implementing the ban, as required by state law. This procedural failure, rather than the substantive merits of the ban itself, was the basis for the court's decision. As a result, gender-affirming care—specifically, the use of puberty blockers for transgender minors—became legal again in Queensland immediately following the ruling .
The original ban, which had prohibited doctors from prescribing puberty blockers to transgender youth, was widely criticized by medical experts, LGBTQ+ organizations, and human rights advocates. These groups argued that denying access to puberty blockers not only contravened best medical practices, but also placed transgender minors at increased risk for mental health challenges, distress, and suicidality. The Supreme Court's decision was therefore greeted as a crucial affirmation of the rights and health needs of transgender young people in Queensland .
The Queensland Supreme Court's ruling is especially notable given a broader international context in which LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly contested. In recent weeks and months, some jurisdictions have advanced protections, while others have enacted or upheld restrictions:
- In the United States, the federal government under President Donald Trump has implemented multiple executive orders and administrative policies that restrict the rights of transgender and non-binary people, including ending federal funding for gender-affirming care and eliminating self-identification of gender on federal documents .
- U.S. state legislatures have continued to introduce and pass bills limiting access to gender-affirming healthcare and restricting the participation of transgender people in public life, with over 70 anti-LGBTQ+ laws enacted in 22 states so far in 2025 .
- In Brazil, legal changes over the past month have both restricted and expanded LGBTQ+ rights, with the Supreme Federal Court temporarily banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors under 18, while a federal court in Pernambuco struck down local bans on LGBT studies and expression .
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands, limited progress was made as legal gender changes became possible for transgender and intersex people, though only with proof of medical treatment, and only intersex individuals received non-binary gender recognition .
The Queensland ban on puberty blockers was introduced as part of a broader regional and international backlash against gender-affirming care for minors. Proponents of the ban argued that such care was experimental and posed risks to young people. However, the medical consensus among major professional organizations—including the Australian Medical Association and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health—holds that puberty blockers are a safe, reversible, and essential intervention for transgender youth experiencing gender dysphoria .
Legal advocates for transgender rights challenged the Queensland ban on procedural grounds, arguing that the government had failed to consult relevant medical experts as required by law. Justice Callaghan's decision did not address the scientific evidence regarding puberty blockers, nor the ethics of restricting such care, but focused narrowly on the government's failure to follow legislative process. This limited scope, however, was sufficient to invalidate the ban and restore access to care .
LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in Australia and worldwide welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the lifesaving importance of timely access to gender-affirming care for youth. They reiterated that legal and political attacks on such care undermine the well-being, dignity, and rights of transgender young people. The ruling was seen as a reaffirmation that policy decisions affecting marginalized groups must be based on consultation with affected communities and medical professionals .
The Queensland Supreme Court's decision also resonated internationally, with LGBTQ+ organizations in other countries citing it as a model for legal resistance to anti-transgender policies. Legal experts noted that the procedural basis of the ruling could inform challenges to similar bans elsewhere, particularly where governments have acted without adequate expert input or public consultation.
Despite this positive development in Queensland, the global picture for LGBTQ+ rights remains mixed. Recent weeks have seen intensified efforts by conservative governments and political movements to restrict LGBTQ+ expression, education, and healthcare access. In the United States, the rollback of federal protections and state-level legislative attacks have created a patchwork of rights and vulnerabilities for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender youth .
In Brazil, conflicting court decisions have led to ongoing legal uncertainty about the availability of gender-affirming care and the right to discuss LGBTQ+ issues in educational settings . Meanwhile, incremental advances in the U.S. Virgin Islands and other jurisdictions highlight the complexity of progress, which often comes with significant caveats and limitations.
As legal and political battles over LGBTQ+ rights continue worldwide, the Queensland Supreme Court's decision underscores the importance of procedural safeguards, expert consultation, and judicial oversight in protecting marginalized communities. Advocacy groups point to the need for continued vigilance, robust legal strategies, and widespread public education to counteract waves of restrictive legislation.
The Queensland ruling is a reminder that progress is possible even amid setbacks, and that the rights of transgender and gender-diverse people remain a critical front in the ongoing struggle for equality and dignity.
