An Australian judge has ruled against a mother’s request to begin transitioning her 12-year-old son using puberty blockers, instead granting custody of the child to his father.
Judge Andrew Strum’s decision has been hailed by some activists as a "stunning victory for sanity in Australia," as reported by Christian Today.
While not dismissing the possibility of allowing the child to transition later in life, Strum emphasized that the child is too young to fully understand the long-term consequences of such a significant decision.
In his ruling, Strum said, “This is a case about a child, and a relatively young one at that; not one about the cause of transgender people.” He added that as the child matures, he may decide to identify as a transgender female and opt for medical treatment. However, Strum noted that the child might also decide against transitioning for various reasons.
“At this stage in the child’s life, all options should remain open, without the risk of harm,” Strum wrote.
The judge also criticized experts supporting the mother’s position, which claimed that gender identity is entirely an internal matter, unaffected by external influences. One expert, referred to as "Associated Professor L," was criticized for providing misleading statements and omitting material that contradicted their opinion. Strum noted that these experts failed to present any empirical evidence, instead citing anecdotal reports from transgender adults.
Strum’s ruling was influenced by the Cass Review, a UK report that questions the approach of affirming children's gender identities and administering puberty blockers. The judge also noted that the mother appeared to use the child’s gender fluidity to disrupt the relationship with the father.
The judge emphasized that medical decisions should be made in the best interest of the child, not influenced by ideological beliefs.
The ruling has been welcomed by Chris Elston, an activist known as “Billboard Chris,” who has previously clashed with pro-transgender groups and the Australian courts. Elston tweeted, “The gender clinic, an expert witness, the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health, and a previous judge who tried to downplay the Cass Review have all been severely rebuked in a stunning victory for sanity in Australia.”
