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Extend the Ban!: All Children Should Be Protected From Puberty Blockers

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Extend the Ban!: All Children Should Be Protected From Puberty Blockers
petition author imageCitizenGO - started this petition to Neil Gray, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom - 2024/03/22

Update – 11 December 2024


A major victory! The UK government has extended the ban on puberty blockers for under-18s indefinitely, acknowledging the "unacceptable safety risks" highlighted by independent experts. While this is a crucial step forward, clinical trials on these dangerous drugs are still planned.


We are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent these trials and protect vulnerable children.


Thank you for standing with us in this vital campaign!


More information:

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Update – 22 August 2024


The Labour Party has further extended the ban on puberty blockers to 26 November 2024.


The new ban will cover Northern Ireland and also prevents the sale and supply of the medicines from prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland for any purposes to those under 18.


We will continue to monitor the situation and continue to campaign for the ban to be made permanent.


Thank you, as always, for your support.


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Update – 29 May 2024


Children across England, Scotland and Wales will be protected from the irreversible harms of puberty blockers!


In one of the Government’s last acts in power, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins announced today that she had used emergency powers to ban the harmful drugs.


The ban, introduced on Wednesday, will be in place for three months, from June 3 to September 3. It applies to the NHS and private doctors across England, Wales, and Scotland, as well as to prescriptions issued by clinics in Europe.


It will then be up to the next government to decide whether to extend the legislation beyond September.


Stay informed of future developments by signing this petition.


By signing the petition, you'll demonstrate to the future health minister that there is substantial public backing for extending the ban on puberty blockers and even making it permanent.


What about Northern Ireland?


Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have devolved health powers, enabling them to tailor healthcare policies to their populations.


While the UK Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, could have included Northern Ireland in her ban on puberty blockers, the unique political and legislative dynamics at play would have made it extremely difficult—particularly so given that she used emergency powers in one of her last acts of power.


Stormont's Health Minister, Ulster Unionist Party MLA Robin Swann, had claimed back in March that Northern Ireland would follow NHS England in banning puberty blockers. However, months later, the situation in Northern Ireland remains unchanged, with transgender services continuing as normal.


Complicating matters further, Robin Swann has stepped down as Health Minister so that he can pursue a seat as a Westminster MP.


We are continuing to campaign for a ban on puberty blockers in Northern Ireland.


More information:

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Original petition – 22 March 2024


NHS England has finally confirmed that children will no longer routinely be prescribed puberty blockers!


This landmark decision is a monumental victory that has been achieved thanks to years of tireless campaigning by CitizenGO, ally organisations, and supporters like you. Our collective voice raised in unison has steered the course towards this change, proving once again that together, we can make a real difference.


However, our work is far from over.


The ban currently only applies to puberty blockers across NHS England services.


Puberty blockers will still be prescribed by NHS Scotland and in private clinics across the UK. Tragically, children will be used like guinea pigs and subjected to these dangerous drugs in clinical trials.


The irreversible harms caused by puberty blockers are well-documented (and we must also consider the potential unknown consequences that could further compound these risks):

  • Fertility: Children who take puberty blockers at Tanner stage 2 of puberty followed by cross-sex hormones will be sterilised as gametes have not developed.

  • Bone Density: Suppressing puberty has been proven to lead to lower bone density, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life.

  • Lower IQ: World-renowned neuropsychologist Professor Sallie Baxendale found puberty blockers could harm a child’s IQ by 7-15 points.

  • Mental health: Many of those who are prescribed puberty blockers have anxiety or some form of depressive disorder, which often remains in spite of being prescribed puberty blockers.

  • Side Effects: Possible side effects include liver damage and injection site reactions, among other unknown side effects.

In addition to the well-documented harms, there is a growing number of individuals 'detransitioning' and expressing regret over taking puberty blockers.


People like Helena Kerschner, Chloe Cole, Keira Bell, Peter Benjamin, Walt Heyer, Oli London, Nikita Teran, Grace Powell, and many, many more.


Puberty blockers locked vulnerable children like these on a perilous path toward cross-sex hormones and invasive gender surgery – a journey they came to regret. In many of their stories, a devastating recurring theme emerges: doctors, driven by financial gain, exerting undue influence.


However, there is hope.


Momentum is on our side, and NHS England's decision to ban puberty blockers could be the first among many more common-sense decisions in the UK and around the world.


But only if we make a big effort now! We need as many signatures as possible to make an impression.


Act now before it's too late. Build on this growing momentum and ensure no other child is placed on this irreversible path of harm by signing our petition!


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More information:

23,692 have signed.

Petition to: Neil Gray, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom,

We, the undersigned, call for an immediate ban on the use of puberty blockers across the whole of the UK.


NHS England has already announced they would stop prescribing these harmful drugs. This landmark decision in protecting our children was based on insufficient evidence of safety and effectiveness.


However, puberty blockers can continue to be used in Scotland, clinical trials, and private clinics. This is despite their irreversible harm, including potential infertility, weaker bones, liver damage, and mental health problems.


Moreover, these drugs often lead children on an irreversible path of full surgical gender transition. A staggering 98% of children taking puberty blockers proceed to cross-sex hormones, despite a growing number of 'detransitioners' expressing regret.


Children should not be guinea pigs for drugs, which can cause irreversible harm. We urge you to follow in the steps of NHS England and extend this ban to all public and private healthcare in the UK.