Trans healthcare ruling
Over the last few weeks, you may have seen the news, following the High Court ruling that young people under 16 using the Tavistock and Portman’s gender identity clinics will very likely need to obtain a court order prior to accessing puberty blockers. This is an amendment to the existing service and takes effect from the 1st December.
What does this mean?
This ruling does not mean that trans under-16s or under-18s in England and Wales cannot be prescribed puberty blockers moving forward, it does mean that in practice they are likely to need permission from a court to do so. Mermaids have produced a helpful Q&A document from which you can find out more.
Young people’s thoughts:
We have been discussing this with young people and understand that this judgement raises concerns and uncertainty for trans and gender questioning young people and their families. We understand that some young people feel very angry and frustrated by the case outcome and are worried about the implications for young people’s ability to consent and be listened to, in relation to matters that affect their lives.
What OTR will do to support:
We want to reassure you that OTR are here to support trans and gender questioning young people.
We support trans and gender questioning young people
You can still access our services, LGBT+ and non- LGBT+ if you are under 16, confidentially and without needing parental consent to do so.
We will aim to provide person-centred support and information to all trans and gender questioning young people who want it
If you require support for yourself or a young person you know please do get in touch at Space@offtherecord-banes.co.uk
OTR stands #togetherwithtrans.
More information on this recent ruling is available here:
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/stonewall-statement-high-court-puberty-blockers-ruling
https://www.consortium.lgbt/2020/12/02/consortium-statement-on-bell-v-tavistock-outcome/
There are lots of Kahoots available about LGBT+ topics.
Google Maps exercise- exploring LGBT+ places of interest
-Proud Trust- Google Maps LGBT+ tour https://lgbtyouth.org.uk/media/2051/idahobit-2020-world-tour-digital-workshop.pdf
Places to explore...
-Stonewall Inn, New York
-Pulse nightclub, Orlando, FL
-Marsha P Johnson Memorial Fountain, NYC
-Alan Turing Memorial, Manchester, UK
-Memorial to Homosexuals persecuted under Nazism
-Harvey Milk’s former camera shop (Human Rights campaign store)
-Equality House, Kansas
Youtube videos to share
-History of Pride- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJIbkSW08U
-Black and LGBT+ history month- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OYY-hykYjw
-Being a trans ally- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFUJcumrz0U
-Being an LGBT+ ally- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS5FMErj0SE
-What is LGBT?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3EWaVVG7pw
UK organisations and information for LGBTQ+ Black, Asian, Indigenous People of Colour
· UK Black Pride (National)
· Kiki Bristol (Bristol)
· Hidayah (National)
· House of Rainbow (London)
· QTI Coalition Of Colour (Cambridge)
· QTIPOC Narratives (Brighton)
· Our Space (Leeds)
· Rainbow Noir (Manchester)
· Glitter Cymru (Wales)
· Unmuted Brum (Birmingham)
· QTIPOC Notts (Nottingham)
· Colours Youth Network (North Of England)
Upcoming events
-Youth Pride- Proud Trust (date TBC)
-Midsomer Norton Digital Pride 11th July
Other organisations/information
-Proud Trust- https://www.theproudtrust.org
-MindOut- https://www.mindout.org.uk
-Switchboard LGBT+- https://switchboard.lgbt
-FFLAG (support for family and friends of LGBT+ people)- https://www.fflag.org.uk
-Off the Record BANES- https://www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk
-Gendered Intelligence- http://genderedintelligence.co.uk
· We offer LGBT+ youth groups, LGBT+ 1:1 support and LGBT+ counselling
· Referral form for OTR services- https://www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk/referral-form
· Our e-mail- space@offtherecord-banes.co.uk
· Social media- @otr_lgbt on Instagram and e-mail us for Space closed group Facebook info!
Other ideas
-Collecting Pride-themed photos from young people- we did a media presentation as part of Pride month where young people contributed photos of what they did in lockdown to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHBOT) perhaps this might be an idea for the students to put something together, be it a photo collage?
https://www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk/news-content/love-is-love-lgbt-space-creations