Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697810662249.pdf (Malta)
L-ERBATAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA P.L.

1271 Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Numru 82 tat-30 ta’ Jannar 2023 mill-Ispeaker, l-Onor.

Anġlu Farrugia.

___________________________ Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-Kamra EJJA NIBDLU L-PASS!

Kif inhuma sejrin it-tfal trans* u ta’ ġeneru divers Ewropej?
Manifest tal-Ġenituri Ippreżentat lill- Parlament ta’ Lisbona 23 ta’ Settembru 2022 European Network of Parents of LGBTI+ Persons (ENP) flimkien ma’ AGEDO, AMPGYL, AMPLOS, DRACHMA, IZADJI mill- Italja, Spanja, il-Portugall, Malta u s-Serbja Page 1 of 10 Numru dejjem jikber ta’ tfal u żgħażagħ trans* u ta’ ġeneru divers fl-Ewropa qed ifittxu għarfien għad-dritt tagħhom għall-awtodeterminazzjoni u għall-ħarsien tal-affermazzjoni tal-ġeneru.
Introduzzjoni F'dawn l-aħħar snin seħħet bidla fundamentali fl-istrateġiji għall- ħarsien ta’ żgħażagħ trans* (inklużi l-kura tas-saħħa u l-prattiċi tat- trobbija), li minn mudell riparattiv u patoloġizzanti resqu aktar lejn mudell affermattiv.1 It-tfal u l-adolexxenti trans* ikollhom riżultati aħjar kemm fis-saħħa kif ukoll soċjalment meta jkollhom sapport sħiħ mill-ġenituri tagħhom jew minn min jieħu ħsiebhom.
Ġenituri u/jew persuni li qed jieħdu ħsiebhom qegħdin jingħaqdu f’assoċjazzjonijiet u gruppi ta’ sapport biex jiġġieldu flimkien għad-drittijiet ta’ wliedhom.

Bħala ġenituri u attivisti għad-drittijiet ta’ tfal u żgħażagħ trans* u dawk b’ġeneru divers, aħna nafu kif spiss dawn id-drittijiet mhumiex garantiti, anzi saħansitra Is-sitwazzjoni fl-Unjoni Ewropea (UE) mhix uniformi; xi pajjiżi qed jadottaw strateġiji inklużivi aktar malajr minn oħrajn, filwaqt li pajjiżi oħra qed jopponuhom attivament.
jiġu mkasbra.

1 Keo-Meier u Ehrensaft, 2018; Pyne, 2014.

Page 2 of 10 Aħna nemmnu li l-Unjoni Ewropea u istituzzjonijiet Ewropej u korpi tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti għandhom tal- konsegwenzi għal dan in-nuqqas ta’ rispett f’dan ir-rigward.

Dan spiss iwassal għal iżolament soċjali kif ukoll tluq bikri mill-iskola, b’riskju għoli ta’ problemi psikoloġiċi gravi – dipressjoni, ansjetà, disturbi alimentari, awtokorriment – u anke suwiċidju.
r-responsabbiltà jieħdu Appoġġ kmieni fil-ħajja ta’ tfal trans* u dawk b’ġeneru divers jgħinhom fl-iżvilupp personali tagħhom biex jikbru bħala adulti b’saħħithom.

Jistgħu jgħixu min verament huma, bla ma jkunu ristretti, ikkritikati u ġġudikati.

internazzjonali l- L-istandards ugwaljanza u n-nondiskriminazzjoni bħala prinċipji bażiċi.
L-Artikolu 1 tad-Dikjarazzjoni Universali tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem2 jgħid hekk: tad-drittijiet tal-bniedem iqisu “Il-bnedmin kollha jitwieldu ħielsa u ugwali fid-dinjità u d-drittijiet.

Huma mogħnija bir-raġuni u l-kuxjenza u għandhom jaġixxu ma’ xulxin fi spirtu ta’ fraternità.
L-Artikolu 2 tal-istess Dikjarazzjoni jżid jgħid hekk: Kulħadd huwa intitolat għad-drittijiet u l-libertajiet kollha mniżżla f’din id-Dikjarazzjoni, mingħajr distinzjoni ta’ kwalunkwe tip, bħal razza, kulur, sess, lingwa, reliġjon, opinjoni politika jew opinjoni oħra, oriġini nazzjonali jew soċjali, proprjetà, twelid jew status ieħor.
Dan jimplika d-dritt li wieħed ikun protett mid-diskriminazzjoni għal diversi raġunijiet, inklużi l-orjentazzjoni sesswali, l-identità tal-ġeneru 2 https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights Page 3 of 10 u l-espressjoni tal-ġeneru.

Artikoli oħra fid-Dikjarazzjoni jkomplu jsaħħu dawn id-drittijiet tal-bniedem.
ENP, in-Netwerk Ewropew ta' Ġenituri ta' Persuni LGBTI+, hija organizzazzjoni li tiġbor flimkien assoċjazzjonijiet u gruppi informali ta' ġenituri ta' persuni LGBTI+ minn madwar l-Ewropa.

L-ENP tiġbor familji li jaħdmu favur soċjetà aktar inklużiva; familji li jagħrfu li kull persuna għandha tiġi ttrattata b’dinjità u rispett – ħielsa minn kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni jew oppressjoni.

Il-Proġett tal-ENP “Ejja nibdlu l-pass!


– Kif inhuma sejrin it-tfal trans* u ta’ ġeneru divers Ewropej?” – sponsorjat mill-programm Erasmus+, KA210-ADU-000034033, involviet ħafna assoċjazzjonijiet Ewropej li jaħdmu u jappoġġaw id-drittijiet ta’ tfal u żgħażagħ trans*.

l-assoċjazzjonijiet mill-Italja, Malta, il- Rappreżentanti ta’ dawn Portugall, is-Serbja u Spanja, bħala msieħba fil-proġett, iltaqgħu ma’ assoċjazzjonijiet oħra mid-Danimarka, l-Islanda, ir-Renju Unit u l-Italja biex iwessgħu d-dibattitu.
Saru tliet webinars, kull wieħed mifrux fuq numru ta’ jiem.

Il-ġenituri qasmu stejjer, kisbiet, miri, beżgħat, dubji u tamiet, il- iddiskutew ukoll kwalità tal-ħajja ta’ wliedhom trans*.
skemi mmirati lejn kif Filwaqt li nżommu ċar f’moħħna li ż-żgħażagħ kollha huma l-futur tas- soċjetà tagħna, u li l-iżvilupp tagħhom qed iseħħ proprju llum u ma jistax jitħalla għal għada, fassalna dan il-Manifest li fih flimkien qed nappellaw lill-istituzzjonijiet KOLLHA, inklużi l-Unjoni Ewropea, il- Kunsill tal-Ewropa u l-kumitati u l-korpi tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti li huma involuti fid-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem u d-Drittijiet tat-Tfulija biex jingħaqdu magħna fl-isforzi tagħna biex ninfluwenzaw in-nazzjonijiet Ewropej b’rakkomandazzjonijiet, kampanji u regolamenti.
Page 4 of 10 Nitolbu biex: Klawżola 1 Jiġi rikonoxxut id-dritt għall-awtodeterminazzjoni tal-ġeneru tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ trans*, liema dritt jiġi salvagwardjat permezz ta’ leġiżlazzjoni soda bbażata fuq protokolli rakkomandati minn direttivi internazzjonali, u jiġi ggarantit id-dritt tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ trans* li jibdlu l-ġeneru u l- isem legali tagħhom assenjati fi twelid mingħajr il-ħtieġa ta’ dijanjosi medika, kirurġiji jew proċeduri fil-qorti.
Klawżola 2 Nitolbu lill-Istati Membri kollha biex joffru ċentri ta’ affermazzjoni tal- ġeneru fit-territorji ta’ kull pajjiż f’konformità mad-“Dritt għas-Saħħa”, kif inhu ddikjarat ukoll mill-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju Għoli tan- Nazzjonijiet Uniti għad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem u l-Organizzazzjoni Dinjija tas-Saħħa.
Klawżola 3 Jiġi żgurat li l-persuni trans* kollha u dawk ta’ ġeneru divers li qed ifittxu appoġġ mediku għall-affermazzjoni tal-ġeneru jiġu ttrattati f’ambjenti trans-speċifiċi u skont l-età, speċjalment fil-każ ta’ tfal żgħar; jiżdied in-numru ta’ faċilitajiet pedjatriċi fejn it-tfal jistgħu jirċievu appoġġ.

Page 5 of 10 Klawżola 4 Jiġu żgurat li t-trattamenti (imblokkaturi tal-pubertà u trattament ormonali) jiġu preskritti skont il-linjigwida rrakkomandati mid-direttivi internazzjonali.
Iż-żmien huwa estremament importanti fir-rigward tal-imblokkaturi tal-pubertà.3 Klawżola 5 Jiġu esplorati u rrispettati l-bżonnijiet varji ta' kull individwu.

Ma għandux ikun hemm “soluzzjoni waħda u l-istess għal kulħadd"!

Il- il-ġeneru interventi mediċi ħtiġijiet speċifiċi għal għandhom jiġu identifikati fuq bażi ta’ każ b’każ u indirizzati bla dewmien sabiex it-tfal u l-adolexxenti jkunu jistgħu jgħixu ħajjithom rrakkomandat mill-Assoċjazzjoni bl-aħjar mod.
Dan huwa Professjonali Dinjija għas-Saħħa ta’ Transġeneri (WPATH) u l- Assoċjazzjoni Professjonali Ewropea għas-Saħħa ta’ Transġeneri (EPATH).4 jaffermaw li 3 Kif espress fl-Istandard il-ġdid tal-Kura 7 minn Wpath, “Żewġ għanijiet jiġġustifikaw intervent bl-ormoni li jrażżnu l-pubertà: (i) l-użu tagħhom jagħti lill-adolexxenti aktar ħin biex jesploraw in-nuqqas ta’ konformità tal- ġeneru tagħhom u kwistjonijiet oħra ta’ żvilupp; u (ii) l-użu tagħhom jista' jiffaċilita t-tranżizzjoni billi jipprevieni l-iżvilupp ta' karatteristiċi tas-sess li huma diffiċli jew impossibbli li jitreġġgħu lura jekk l-adolexxenti jkomplu jsegwu r-riassenjament tas-sess.
“L-adolexxenti jistgħu jkunu eliġibbli għall-ormoni li jrażżnu l-pubertà hekk kif jibdew il-bidliet fil-pubertà.
Sabiex l-adolexxenti u l-ġenituri tagħhom jieħdu deċiżjoni infurmata dwar dewmien fil-pubertà, huwa rakkomandat li l-adolexxenti jesperjenzaw il-bidu tal-pubertà sa mill-inqas Tanner Stadju 2.” F’dik li hi terapija bl-ormoni, Standard of Care minn Wpath jissuġġerixxi: “L-adolexxenti jistgħu jkunu eliġibbli biex jibdew terapija bl-ormoni feminizzanti/maskilizzanti, preferibbilment bil-kunsens tal-ġenituri.
F'ħafna pajjiżi, żgħażagħ ta' 16-il sena huma adulti legali għat-teħid ta' deċiżjonijiet mediċi u ma jeħtiġux il-kunsens tal- ġenituri.

Idealment, id-deċiżjonijiet dwar it-trattament għandhom jittieħdu bejn l-adolexxenti, il-familja, u t-tim tat-trattament.” 4 EUPATH, Dikjarazzjoni WPATH dwar Trattament ta' Affermazzjoni Medika inkluż Imblokkaturi tal-Pubertà għal Adoloxxenti Transġeneri.
Bħala organizzazzjonijiet mediċi professjonali, l-Assoċjazzjoni Professjonali Ewropea għas-Saħħa Transġeneri (EPATH), u l-Assoċjazzjoni Professjonali Dinjija għas-Saħħa Transġeneri (WPATH), kif ukoll il-firmatarji l-oħra ta’ din id-dikjarazzjoni, ilkoll għandhom tħassib serju dwar din id-deċiżjoni, u jixtiequ jesprimu li għalkemm it-trattament għal adolexxenti żgħażagħ transġeneri jinvolvi inċertezzi, kif inhu l-każ f'ħafna oqsma li jinvolvu liż-żgħażagħ, bosta studji juru l-benefiċċju ċar tas-saħħa mentali ta’ trattament mediku li jafferma l-ġeneru (inklużi l-imblokkaturi tal-pubertà).
Iż-żamma ta' tali trattament hija ta' ħsara u ġġib konsegwenzi soċjali, psikoloġiċi u mediċi potenzjali tul il-ħajja.
https://www.wpath.org/media/cms/Documents/Public%20Policies/2020/FINAL%20Statement%20Regarding% 20Informed%20Consent%20Court%20Case_Dec%2016%202020.docx.pdf?_t=1608225376 Page 6 of 10 Klawżola 6 Tiġi pprojbità kwalunkwe forma ta' prattika ta' konverżjoni li tipprova tibdel l-identità tal-ġeneru, l-espressjoni tal-ġeneru jew l-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta' individwu biex dawn ikunu f’konformità man-normi eterosesswali u ċisġeneri.
Il-persuni kollha għandhom jgħixu skont il- ġeneru li jidentifikaw miegħu u s-sesswalità tagħhom liberament, mingħajr kundanna jew restrizzjonijiet.

Klawżola 7 Jiġu protetti t-tfal u l-adolexxenti trans* fil-ħajjiet tagħhom ta' kuljum minn kull fobija, vjolenza, diskors ta' mibegħda, ibbuljar u ħsara permezz ta' politika u liġijiet sodi billi jiġu promossi ambjenti edukattivi u familjari li jagħrfu u jilqgħu kull ġeneru, kif ukoll kultura ta' diversità u inklużjoni fl-isferi kollha tal-ħajja.
Klawżola 8 Jintalab li l-Istati Membri kollha jinkludu l-identità tal-ġeneru, l- affermazzjoni tagħha u l-protezzjoni tagħha bħala parti mill-kurrikuli fl-istituzzjonijiet edukattivi kollha.

Jiġu pprovduti moduli ta’ studju u żvilupp professjonali kontinwu dwar dan is-suġġett għal kull min jaħdem maż-żgħażagħ.

L-iskejjel jeħtieġ li jinkludu materjal ta’ tagħlim li jiċċelebra d-diversità.

Page 7 of 10 Klawżola 9 Tiġi promossa viżjoni tal-ħajja mhux stereotipika tal-ġeneru.
Il- ġugarelli u l-kotba jeħtieġ li jitbiegħdu mill-isterjotipi tal-ġeneri, u jkunu jirrappreżentaw u jiċċelebraw id-diversità.

Permezz ta’ kampanji favur soċjetà inqas sterjotipika, is-soċjetà nnifisha ssir aktar inklużiva.
Klawżola 10 Jiġu stabbiliti alleanzi ma’ msieħba strateġiċi (NGOs, professjonisti, istituzzjonijiet akkademiċi, organizzazzjonijiet ibbażati fil-komunità, u l-midja) li jipprovdu servizzi u appoġġ vitali, u li jsir involviment f’bini ta’ pontijiet u djalogu ma’ istituzzjonijiet pubbliċi biex dawn ukoll jingħaqdu magħna, għax dan huwa meħtieġ biex jinħolqu sinerġiji u jitjiebu r-riżultati b'impatti viżibbli u pożittivi.
Klawżola 11 Jingħaqdu l-isforzi biex gvernijiet ta’ pajjiżi oħra jiġu influwenzati pożittivament, bl-appoġġ tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea, il-Kunsill tal- Ewropa, u l-korpi tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti u, jekk dan ifalli, tiġi appoġġjata l-impożizzjoni ta’ sanzjonijiet, filwaqt li nżommu f’moħħna li l-pajjiżi Ewropej huma parti mill-ambjent Ewropew li għandu jippermetti l-libertà, id-diversità u l-inklużività bħala pilastri fundamentali fit-triq tal-iżvilupp fil-ħajja ta’ kull ċittadin.
Klawżola 12 Jiġi żgurat li l-Istati kollha jkollhom il-leġiżlazzjoni meħtieġa li tirrikonoxxi u tissalvagwardja t-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ trans* u ta’ ġeneru divers, filwaqt li jiġi żgurat ukoll li l-liġi tiġi implimentata u appoġġjata b’sanzjonijiet u infurzar f'waqtu.

Page 8 of 10 Bħala ġenituri organizzati f’NGOs, aħna beħsiebna:  Insemmgħu leħinna u nxerrdu l-għarfien.

 Nappoġġaw lill-familji fil-vjaġġ tagħhom.


 Naqsmu l-esperjenzi tagħna sabiex is-soċjetà tkun tista’ titgħallem mill-istejjer tagħna li jkunu aġġornati b’fatti ġodda dwar il-ħajja f’kuntesti soċjali, kulturali, reliġjużi u politiċi differenti.

 Nikkollaboraw ma' NGOs nazzjonali u internazzjonali oħra biex nagħmlu pressjoni fejn meħtieġ.

 Nibnu pontijiet u nistabbilixxu mezzi ta' komunikazzjoni ma' min hu involut fit-teħid ta’ deċiżjonijiet fil-livelli kollha ta' poter.
 Nitolbu l-appoġġ – finanzjarju u mod ieħor – biex inkomplu nipprovdu servizzi u appoġġ vitali lil individwi li jiffaċċjaw sfidi li magħhom nistgħu nempatizzaw.

L-NGOs għandhom impatt aktar sostanzjali man-nies tat-triq.

U bħala konklużjoni: Page 9 of 10 Nappellaw lilkom, intom li tfasslu l-politika u li intom il-partijiet interessati f’dan il-qasam, biex tressqu azzjonijiet kuraġġużi li jista' jkollhom rwol ewlieni fit-trasformazzjoni tal-ħajja tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ trans* fl-Ewropa.
Flimkien beħsiebna: Inkabbru Inseddqu ejjew nikkordinaw azzjoni fuq skala vasta fid-diversi setturi billi nimmobilizzaw prinċipalment il-partijiet interessati, l-organizzazzjonijiet tal-ġenituri u l- attivisti.

b'testimonjanzi reali, l-aħħar riċerka, dejta u informazzjoni biex insostnu soluzzjonijiet dejjem ġodda li huma meħtieġa f'kull pajjiż u f’kull kuntest.
Nippremjaw l-aħjar prattiki biex niċċelebraw il-kisbiet tal-pajjiżi li mxew ’il quddiem, biex nuru l-impatt pożittiv fuq il- kwalità tal-ħajja tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ trans*.

Huwa bl-akbar urġenza li nibagħtu messaġġ qawwi biex ikun hemm leġiżlazzjoni ċara u soda fil-pajjiżi kollha tal-UE.

EJJA NIBDLU L-PASS!

Page 10 of 10 Let’s Change the Pace!

How are European trans* & gender diverse children doing?
Parents’ Manifesto Presented to the Lisbon Parliament rd 23 September 2022 European Network of Parents (ENP) together with AGEDO, AMPGYL, AMPLOS, DRACHMA, IZADJI from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Serbia P a g e 1 | 10 An ever increasing number of trans* and gender diverse children and youth in Europe are seeking recognition for their right to self-determination & to gender-affirming care.
Introduction In recent years, there has been “a paradigm shift” in approaches to caring for trans* youth (including health care and parenting practices), moving away from a reparative and pathologizing model toward an affirming approach to care1.

Trans* kids and adolescents have better health and social outcomes when strongly supported by their parents/caregivers.

Parents/caregivers have begun to unite in associations and support groups to fight together for the rights of their children.
As parents and activists for the rights of trans* and gender-diverse children and youth, we have witnessed how these rights are often not guaranteed and are even trampled upon.

The situation in the EU is uneven; some countries are adopting inclusive strategies faster than others with other countries actively opposing them.
1 Keo-Meier and Ehrensaft, 2018; Pyne, 2014 P a g e 2 | 10 We believe that the European Union and other European institutions and UN bodies must take responsibility for the consequences of this lack of regard.

This often leads to social isolation as well as school dropout with a high risk of severe psychological problems - depression, anxiety, eating disorder, self-harm - and even suicide.
Supporting trans* and gender- diverse children early in their lives, helps them in their personal development and growth as healthy adults.

It can boost self-esteem and belonging.

They can be themselves without restriction, criticism, or judgement.

International human rights standards consider equality and non- discrimination as basic principles.

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights2 states: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2 of the same Declaration adds: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
This implies the right to be protected against discrimination on various grounds, including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Other Articles in the Declaration continue to reinforce these human rights.

2 https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights P a g e 3 | 10 ENP, the European Network of Parents of LGBTI+ persons, is an umbrella organization for Associations and informal groups of Parents of LGBTI+ persons across Europe.
ENP gathers families that work towards a more inclusive society; families that recognize that every person should be treated with dignity and respect – free from any form of discrimination or oppression.

ENP’s Project “Let’s change the pace!

– how are European trans* & gender diverse children doing?” - sponsored by the Erasmus+ programme, KA210-ADU-03BC83DD, has involved many European Associations that work and advocate for the rights of trans* children and youth.
Representatives of these associations from Italy, Malta, Portugal, Serbia and Spain, as partners of the project, have met with other associations from Denmark, Iceland, UK and Italy to broaden the debate.

Three webinars were held, each spread over a number of days.

Parents shared stories, achievements, goals, fears, doubts, hopes as well as discussed policies aimed at the well-being of their trans* children.
Keeping clearly in mind that all youth is the future of our society and their growth is happening today, and can’t be postponed to tomorrow, we have drawn up this Manifesto in which together we call upon ALL institutions including the European Union, the Council of Europe and the committees and bodies of the United Nations that are involved with Human Rights and Childhood Rights to join in our efforts to influence the European nations, with recommendations, campaigns and regulations.
P a g e 4 | 10 We ask to: Clause 1 Recognise the right to gender self-determination of trans* children and youth and safeguard this right through sound legislation based on protocols recommended by international directives, guaranteeing the right of trans* children and youth to change their assigned gender and their legal name, given at birth, without the need for medical diagnosis, surgeries or procedures in court.
Clause 2 Request all member States to offer gender affirmation centres throughout the territories of each country in compliance with the “Right to Health” as also stated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the World Health Organization.
Clause 3 Ensure that all trans* and gender diverse persons seeking gender affirmation medical support are treated in trans-specific age- environments, appropriate increase the number of paediatric facilities where children may receive support.

especially young the children; P a g e 5 | 10 Clause 4 Ensure that treatments (puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy) are prescribed respecting guidelines recommended by international directives.
Timing is extremely important in regard to puberty blockers.3 Clause 5 Explore & Respect the varying needs of each individual.

There is no “one size fits all”!

The specific needs for gender affirming medical interventions should be identified on a case-by-case basis and addressed in a timely manner so that children and adolescents can live their best lives.
This is recommended by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the European Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH).4 3 As exspressed in the new Standard of Care 7 by Wpath “Two goals justify intervention with puberty suppressing hormones: (i) their use gives adolescents more time to explore their gender nonconformity and other developmental issues; and (ii) their use may facilitate transition by preventing the development of sex characteristics that are difficult or impossible to reverse if adolescents continue on to pursue sex reassignment.
“Adolescents may be eligible for puberty suppressing hormones as soon as pubertal changes have begun.

In order for adolescents and their parents to make an informed decision about pubertal delay, it is recommended that adolescents experience the onset of puberty to at least Tanner Stage 2” As far as hormone therapy is concerned Standard of Care by Wpath suggest: “Adolescents may be eligible to begin feminizing/masculinizing hormone therapy, preferably with parental consent.
In many countries, 16-year-olds are legal adults for medical decision-making and do not require parental consent.

Ideally, treatment decisions should be made among the adolescent, the family, and the treatment team” 4 EUPATH, WPATH Statement regarding Medical Affirming Treatment including Puberty Blockers for Transgender Adolescents.
As professional medical organizations, the European Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH), and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), as well as the other signatories to this statement, all have serious concerns about this ruling and wish to express that although treatment for young transgender adolescents involves uncertainties, as is the case in many fields involving young people, several studies demonstrate the clear mental health benefit of gender-affirming medical treatment (including puberty blockers).
Withholding such treatment is harmful and carries potential life-long social, psychological and medical consequences.

https://www.wpath.org/media/cms/Documents/Public%20Policies/2020/FINAL%20Statement%20Regarding% 20Informed%20Consent%20Court%20Case_Dec%2016%202020.docx.pdf?_t=1608225376 P a g e 6 | 10 Clause 6 Ban any form of conversion therapy attempting to change an individual's gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation to align it with heterosexual and cisgender norms.
All persons should live their inner gender and sexuality freely, without condemnation or restrictions.

Clause 7 Protect trans* children and adolescents in their daily lives from all phobias, violence, hate speech, bullying and harm through sound policies and laws by promoting gender-neutral educational and family environments and a culture of diversity and inclusion in all spheres of life.
Clause 8 Request all member States to include gender identity, its affirmation and its protection as part of the curricula in all educational institutions.

Provide study modules and continuous professional development on this subject to all those working with young people.

Schools need to include teaching materials that celebrate diversity.

Clause 9 Promote a non-gender-stereotyped vision of life.

Toys and books need to move away from gender stereotypes, and represent and celebrate diversity.
By campaigning in favour of a less stereotyped society, society itself becomes more inclusive.

P a g e 7 | 10 Clause 10 Establish alliances with strategic actors (NGOs, professionals, academic institutions, community-based organizations and the media) that provide vital services and support, and engage in bridge-building and dialogue with public institutions to get these on board, as this is necessary to create synergies and enhance outcomes with visible and positive impacts.
Clause 11 Unite efforts to positively influence other countries’ governments, with the support of the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the United Nations Human Rights bodies, and if this fails, support the imposition of sanctions bearing in mind that the European countries are part of the whole European environment that should enable freedom, diversity, inclusiveness as fundamental pillars of every citizen’s growth pathway.
Clause 12 Ensure that all States have the necessary legislation to recognise and safeguard trans* and gender diverse children and youth, while further ensuring that the law is implemented and supported by sanctions and timely enforcement.

P a g e 8 | 10 As parents organized in NGOs, we will: • Make our voices heard and disseminate knowledge.

• Support families in their journey.


• Share our experiences so that society can learn from our stories that will be updated with new facts about life in different social, cultural, religious and political contexts.

• Collaborate with other national and international NGOs to put pressure where needed.

• Build bridges and set up communication channels with decision- makers at all levels of power.
• Ask for support - financial and otherwise - to continue to provide vital services and support to individuals facing challenges with which we can empathize.

NGOs have a more substantial ground- level impact.

And as a conclusion: P a g e 9 | 10 We call upon you, policy makers and important stakeholders, to put forward bold actions that can play a key role in transforming the lives of trans* children and youth in Europe.
Together we will seek to: Grow: Nourish: Reward: let’s coordinate large-scale action across multiple sectors by mobilizing key stakeholders, parents’ organizations and activists.

with real testimonials, latest research and data, to feed the ever new solutions needed in each country and context.

the best practices to celebrate these countries’ pathways, showing the positive impact on the wellbeing of trans* children and youth.
It is with the utmost urgency that we send a strong message to have clear and sound legislation in all EU countries.

LET’S CHANGE THE PACE!

P a g e 10 | 10