The Green Party echoes the call from health professionals, medical bodies, and community organisations for Te Whatu Ora to urgently release the guidelines for gender affirming care.

“It's inexplicable that the release of these guidelines was abruptly halted without justification," says Green Party spokesperson for Takatāpui and Rainbow Communities, Benjamin Doyle (they/them).

“Aotearoa can be a place where takatāpui, trans and non-binary whānau live with dignity, equity, and bodily integrity – where their mana is upheld.

“Right now, takatāpui, trans and non-binary people’s lives are at risk while this Government continues to erode fundamental rights to access safe, accessible, and evidence-based healthcare.

“Further delays in releasing these guidelines hold back much needed progress in improving healthcare and outcomes for takatāpui, trans and non-binary people. Young members of this community in particular experience some of the worst levels of mental health distress, which is worsened by a lack of access to effective healthcare.

“The Government must listen to the calls from those most affected by these decisions, as well as clinicians and experts, to immediately publish these guidelines.

“The Greens are committed to ensuring healthcare is tailored to the specific and unique needs of diverse communities. Our hauora for all policy means hauora for all, putting the health of takatāpui, trans and non-binary whānau front and centre,” says Benjamin Doyle.

(Benjamin Doyle uses they/them pronouns.)

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