Transgender teens judicial review: ‘Without puberty blockers, I dread to think where we’d be’ There are fears about what an end to the provision of puberty blockers might mean for young trans people

Families with transgender children have spoken out about their experiences of puberty blockers, as a judicial review on their use proceeds.

It was announced this week that the high court is to take up a challenge against the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS).

The case is led by Keira Bell, who was referred to the service at 16 and prescribed hormone blockers to ‘pause’ her puberty, and underwent further treatment as an adult – before deciding she no longer identifies as transgender.

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The claimants are seeking to restrict the use of hormone blockers, which can delay puberty for young transgender people. They argue that children are incapable of giving informed consent to medical treatment, and that young people are too speedily bounced into “experimental” treatments.

But families with transgender kids have challenged the assumptions at the heart of the case, and fear what the impact may be if blockers are withdrawn.

Reduces dysphoria

Alex Vellins, 17, has been treated at the GIDS clinic for five years. He told i: “I came out when I was 12 to my family, and it took them a while to accept it. I socially transitioned at 13 and was referred to the Tavistock as soon as possible.”

He explained that it took 18 months to be prescribed hormone blockers, and he was not able to get testosterone until age 16.

Alex added of the treatment: “It really reduces the dysphoria and live my life. I’ve got a friend who hasn’t [got hormones], and sometimes he won’t even speak because of how high his voice is. He can’t deal with that.

“It means that I’m basically at a point where I can live a normal life, and that’s your goal as a trans person, so it’s really amazing. [If I couldn’t get treatment] I would probably be suicidal. I would be in a pretty bad place.”

Read more: Families are fearful as NHS treatment for transgender teens faces judicial review

Alex’s mum, Lisa Raynes, told i: “When you’re dealing with a pubescent child who is developing whilst you’re waiting to go through the Tavistock and waiting for treatment, it’s heartbreaking.

“When he was finally put on blockers, it was such a relief, and almost euphoric. It’s great, just watching Alex flourish, being who he was, and relaxing into himself and growing really well into an adult.”

She fears what the impact might be on families if the blockers aren’t available.

Ms Raynes said: “It is a bit scary. What you don’t hear is the positive cases. You just hear of the one negative case, but there are so many positive cases of trans kids and parents supporting their kids, and it’s such a shame that just one negative case can do so much damage to a really good service.

“To take a step back would be detrimental to the service, and wouldn’t have served us well at all. It would have been horrific if we were in that position.”

‘Nothing was rushed’

Claire Tine also went through the clinic to get treatment for her daughter Poppy, now 13.

She told i: “She’s been going to the Tavistock since she was 10, for about three years now. If anything, they’re on the side of caution. Certainly nothing has been rushed with Poppy, she has had quite a long assessment and everything has been explored about gender and how she feels.

“She’s recently started blockers, two months ago. It’s a great relief, it gives her a huge amount of security, because it will prevent her going through the wrong puberty. It’s a huge relief.”

Ms Tine also pointed out the guidance on blockers, which state that they are “fully reversible” – and that if children later decide they are not transgender, they are able to stop taking them.

She said: “Obviously, if at any point she changes her mind, things can go back to normal, but it’s a million-to-one chance that she’ll change her mind, because she is who she is.”

Waiting times

Both Poppy and Alex had long waits for even their first appointment at Tavistock, before another wait for treatment – but as more children are now coming out as trans, the clinic is massively over-subscribed.

The GIDS website says waiting times currently stand at 22 to 26 months, with children waiting several years for even an initial appointment on the road to hormone blockers.

A father of a 14-year-old boy currently on the waiting list for the clinic told i: “It’s important for his well-being and his mental health, and the fact that he has periods is a complete headfuck for him. When he first came out, we thought, ‘well, maybe it’s a phase,’ but it’s obviously not. He’s much happier being a boy.”

He added: “What’s causing much more problems is the lack of specific specialist support. He has been left for two years to go on by himself.”

All the families are fearful of the impact that abrupt restrictions on puberty blockers may have if the High Court finds against the clinic.

Ms Tine said: “It would be absolutely terrible. I dread to think, really.

“Without those, life would be completely different. Having the confidence to go to school, to do everything she does. For some young people, I think it would push them to [harm].”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or are struggling with your mental health in other ways, you can contact Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. If you need support on issues around your sexuality or gender identity, you can call Switchboard for free on 0300 330 0630 or email chris@switchboard.lgbt.