The Government has announced it has halted any new prescribing of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria, a decision Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour says has resonated globally because it challenges what he describes as years of political pressure and fear around discussing the issue.
Seymour told chrislynchmedia.com the Government has taken a precautionary approach because the evidence remains uncertain and the rapid rise in diagnoses and prescriptions in recent years needs to be understood.
“The biggest change that has happened is that we have moved from telling children to love themselves for who they are to maybe you need to be someone else to be validated. I think that has been a mistake,” Seymour said.
“I do not want to take anything away from people who genuinely have gender dysphoria but it has been astonishing how rapidly the diagnosis and prescription of these puberty blockers has been. What is more, we have also seen a sudden drop off when it has gone out of fashion in the United States recently.”
Seymour said the Government recognised the sensitivity of the issue but believed a pause was necessary.
“People that are currently on them can continue. People that need puberty blockers for other medical reasons can still get them. But in terms of gender dysphoria the idea that if you are distressed then we will delay your puberty and maybe you will end up changing a gender, those days are over and I think that is a good thing.”
Why the global attention
The decision has attracted significant international coverage, something Seymour said reflected longstanding public concern about the ability to debate the topic without being attacked.
“For a long time a lot of people have felt they are unable to debate, unable to criticize, that if they question then they can instantly be deemed a bad person, cancelled, doxed, ostracized,” he said.
“When a country stands up and says we are not so sure this is the right way to go and we are going to put a stop to it and go in a different direction, that is going to get attention.”
Seymour said the Government’s move was similar to past decisions such as declining to recognise the state of Palestine, arguing it showed New Zealand was willing to take positions based on reason rather than expectation.
Cass Review findings a major influence
Seymour said the Government’s approach aligned with the findings of the Cass Review in the United Kingdom, which examined the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers.
“The Cass Review really found inconclusive results. Puberty blockers were not doing the kind of damage their worst opponents claimed. They probably were not as safe as their supporters claimed. It was inconclusive.”
Seymour argued a wider cultural environment had contributed to rising diagnoses.
“We have moved from teaching people that they are inherently valuable to giving enormous amounts of stress to children. Maybe your gender is wrong. Maybe climate change is going to end everything. Maybe you are a victim or a villain. I think what we need is to say to children that life can be tough but you are valued and capable.”
Reaction to comments from Dame Sue Bagshaw
Christchurch doctor Dame Sue Bagshaw said today puberty blockers are safe, reversible, and could be lifesaving and that politicians should not be involved in what she considers a health issue.
Seymour rejected that, saying the surge in diagnoses suggests a political and social influence.
“If it was genuinely a health issue you would not see those dramatic changes in diagnosis and prescription,” he said.
Seymour backs tougher stance on phones in schools
Seymour also backed the new Education Review Office findings showing clear learning gains since phones were removed from classrooms, saying the ban fits within the Government’s wider education reforms.
“If we are now in a world where knowledge transfer is our goal then why would you have your phone in the class. Is that a learning tool. I do not think so,” he said.
He said the findings prove the policy is working despite some students still breaking the rules.
Council spending questioned
Seymour was also asked about Christchurch City Council paying $1.36 million to a consultancy connected to Ngai Tahu while refusing to release details of what the money covered.
“I just ask the question, if this was any other contractor what level of transparency would there be. That is your answer,” he said.
“Given they are a rate funded organisation accountability is key. The council could avoid a whole lot of controversy by just releasing it.”
