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Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand Aotearoa

@alranz.bsky.social

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ALRANZ has been advocating for reproductive justice since 1970 and we aren't going anywhere ✊🏽

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Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand Aotearoa @alranz.bsky.social · Jan 22

ALRANZ's website is down but being fixed asap! Email us [email protected] if you want to become a member! Sliding scale and $0 if money is an issue. We're SO happy you're here! In solidarity ✊🏾 ALRANZ Executive Committee

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

Tika Tangata said "what's with your ideological bias, mate?"

A number of experts have raised methodology issues with the Cass Review,56 which the
Addendum refers to. A key issue raised is that it was not peer reviewed.
57 These issues should
also be considered by the Ministry.
Other available evidence
53. A recent Australian study was not included in the review.58 The use of puberty blockers as
appropriate gender affirming care forms part of the two main international guidelines59 and
best practice recommendations from major medical bodies.60 Local information also
supports the use of puberty blockers for trans young people.61

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

To close: don't use a veneer of science and evidence to try and cloak your ideological agenda when there are SO many other examples of low-quality evidence interventions we use all the time. The limitations to evidence for gender affirming care may be unavoidable but not unacceptable.

One of the reasons the Evidence Brief notes that the evidence available to date on mental
health is of poor quality is the risk of bias. This may be unavoidable and not unacceptable
because: research on mental health necessarily includes a high level of self-report; and many
mental health medications have physical impacts on the body, which make a high-quality
placebo trial nigh on impossible. These same challenges do not prevent many other
medications prescribed for both mental and physical health from being used responsibly. We
would encourage the Ministry to consider and discuss these aspects with the medical and
scientific community, to ensure that there is consistency (and hence non-discrimination)
with other pharmaceuticals.

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

This whole page is excellent. MoH found evidence for benefit to mental health and immediately discarded it. HRC have said "no, mental health is a part of right to health and you cannot discard this evidence without good reason"

Too long for OCR - highlights:
It is therefore critically important, from a human rights perspective, to adequately and
carefully consider mental health and suicide risk in any policy relating to transgender youth.

Whenever a decision is made that impacts a child or a group of children, there must be a
thorough evaluation of all possible impacts, both negative and positive, on them. Doing so is
how we procedurally and substantively give effect to obligations under the Convention.
60. The mental health of the child is clearly encapsulated in these considerations; and, as above,
mental health is part of the right to health.

The Evidence Brief states: “Current evidence indicates a significant improvement in
depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation for individuals treated with puberty blockers.
However, the quality of this evidence is low with a high risk of bias”.
66 It went on to conclude
that:
Evidence about the impact of GnRHa on clinical and mental health and wellbeing
outcomes is scarce, with available evidence largely of poor quality. While there are
studies on non-medical interventions that show improvements in the mental health and
wellbeing of gender-dysphoric adolescents, these generally rely on small, localised
cohorts, making it difficult to extrapolate to other, larger cohorts.

For the reasons discussed above
and below, the current evidence supporting the positive impact on the children’s mental health should not be discounted. The risks of not providing gender affirming care can be
significant with life-long consequences.

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

Manatū Hauora's review didn't consider evidence for alternative treatments because the 'alternative' could be considered a conversion practice which is illegal in Aotearoa. They also didn't consider the evidence of harm of withholding this care.

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

The increase in visibility and acceptance is the likely cause of an increase in those accessing healthcare, & not cause for moral panic. They note that they are not examining this care for cis children - this & unprecedented open consultation is differential treatment which could be found unlawful.

Research has consistently found that transgender New Zealanders experience high levels of
discrimination and violence.
20 This can be compounded by multiple and intersecting forms of
discrimination if the person has other identities that are associated with high levels of
discrimination and violence, such as sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability.21 Despite
these concerning statistics, knowledge and acceptance of gender diversity is increasing, as
occurred with the increasing knowledge and acceptance in society of homosexuality. This has
also meant that transgender people, including adolescents, likely feel more comfortable to
be who they are, share this with others, and seek medical advice as needed – in the same way
that destigmatisation of homosexuality was/is critical in facilitating better sexual health and
saving the lives of homosexual people.22 Any reported increase in medical intervention should
be carefully scrutinised in light of these correlating social forces on the seeking of and access
to healthcare.23
22. The enquiry into the “impact of puberty blockers” has been restricted to impact on “genderdysphoric adolescents”. It is not clear in the consultation documents why the impact
assessment has been restricted to this group, when (as noted in the documents) cisgender
adolescents are also prescribed puberty blockers. Similarly, regulation of other medications
with potential risks is not typically subject to open public consultation. This differential
treatment may be assessed as unlawful discrimination by a Court.

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

Tika Tangata make it clear that access needs to be strengthened, not restricted, and rightly note that trans people still have their human rights violated in Aotearoa. HRC receive regular complaints - most commonly about discrimination enacted by the Government.

We agree that “young people experiencing gender incongruence or gender dysphoria should
have access to comprehensive quality care… which meets their physical and mental health
needs and upholds their holistic range of rights as young people”.14 It is crucial that access
to gender affirming healthcare is maintained and not weakened. In Aotearoa New Zealand,
trans people are still frequently subject to discrimination which violates their human rights.

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

Really strong submission from Tika Tangata on puberty blockers 🧵

tikatangata.org.nz

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · Mar 10

HRC point out that MoH's evidence brief did not include any evidence of irresponsible and concerning prescribing. I have in an OIA request that the Ministry KNOW there is no irresponsible or concerning prescribing, and have known since April 2024.

Like all prescriptions, puberty blockers are subject to protocols and protections in our
medico-legal systems which provide protection and guidance, as noted in the Evidence
Brief.50 There is specific guidance relating to unapproved medicines in the Medicines Act,
including providing adequate ethical professional care and taking responsibility for
unapproved use.
51 That will likely include a holistic assessment, discussion with the
adolescent and their guardian, and making a decision on a case by case basis with
appropriate informed consent procedures. If a dispute arises between the parties, then the
courts are able to make a determination of what is in the child’s best interests.52 Complaints
can be made and investigated by the Health and Disability Commission or the Medical
Council.
49. The review did not consider whether there was any evidence of irresponsible or concerning
prescribing of puberty blockers by health practitioners, that current protocols were
insufficient to guard against. The Ministry may find it useful to enquire with the Health and
Disability Commission and Medical Council about whether they have received any such
complaints, which may also become apparent during the consultation process.

MoH OIA Request:
The Ministry has connected with Health NZ to gain a more complete
understanding of the services available to young people presenting with issues
relating to their gender identity. There is currently no evidence that individual
clinicians are prescribing outside of an interprofessional team, and the proposed
enhanced monitoring will provide additional assurance.

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Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand Aotearoa @alranz.bsky.social · 1d

If the Luxon-"led" gov't in Aotearoa can block access to healthcare for our trans whānau, they can block access to abortion again. Trust that the anti-choice health minister Simeon Brown*WILL* block access if they stay in power next election. They'll see it as a mandate. #nzpol #trans #abortion

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Newsroom NZ @newsroom.co.nz · 1d

Week in Review:
From Auckland University - Opinion: How much did the Govt pay for a curriculum that is so inferior to the version already mandated in our schools? And how else might we have spent that money?

If the curriculum ain't broke, don't fix it

newsroom.co.nz

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Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 1d

I am glad I was right about that guy all along.

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Pip Adam @pipadam.bsky.social · 6d

10 hours. Underfunding that leads to long wait times at emergency departments cause extreme risk to health. Support striking health workers.

Grant Jacobs BioinfoTools/NotJustDNA 🔬🧬🖥️✍️📚 @notjustdna.bsky.social · 6d

#NZ Measles

“The person was at Auckland City Hospital's emergency department for nearly 10 hours from 10.30am on Friday.”

– if you were there, check if you’re vaccinated, and watch for symptoms.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

New measles case spent hours in Auckland City Hospital while infectious

The person was at Auckland City Hospital's emergency department for nearly 10 hours on Friday, but Health NZ says there is a low risk of spread to the community.

www.rnz.co.nz

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D Jukic She/her @dejanajuk.bsky.social · 5d

Nurses, Doctors and other healthcare workers are striking for better pay, staffing, and services to protect us from the shambles and probable deaths caused by the Govt’s severe underfunding, misinformation and lack of concern for those that use public health services.

Support the strike.

#nzpol

Man with infection can't get ambulance to hospital, finds 50 people in waiting room

Told by a doctor to call 111, a seriously ill man found his own lift after being told no ambulances were available, then found a full ED with intubated patients in triage areas and beds gridlocked dow...

www.rnz.co.nz

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AndreaaaHHhHHHHh!! Grimes @andreagrimes.com · 5d

I know the Trump WH wouldn't acknowledge this publicly, but this admin (and its supporters) surely know the White House exists because of the labor of enslaved people, and I have to think they're excited to tear at least part of it down as a fuck-you message to those workers, specifically.

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AndreaaaHHhHHHHh!! Grimes @andreagrimes.com · 5d

I can't remember if it stands for 'anthony comstock is a bitch' in this case but i'm definitely telling people it is if they ask me about it

(via @autonomynews.co! get yours: www.bonfire.com/all-comstock...)

Andrea, a white lady with pink hair and big hoop earrings, is wearing a pink Autonomy News shirt with a black and white photo of horrible asshole Anthony Comstock on it. Over his eyes is a green square that reads "ACAB"

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Russell Brown @publicaddress.bsky.social · 5d

What was actually in the fine print of yesterday's roading announcement: a $40-to-$50 billion bill that we could not pay without bankrupting ourselves. This has been implicit for a long time and should be in the damn headlines. greaterauckland.substack.com/p/reality-bi...

Reality bites: RoNS will bankrupt the nation

The government’s mega-roads programme is now looking to cost an astonishing $40-50 billion, based on new documents released yesterday by the NZTA.On Monday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop touted the ...

greaterauckland.substack.com

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Global Abortion Rights News @globalabortionnews.bsky.social · 7d

Ireland: More detailed information on abortions carried out in hospitals across the country will be made available by the Health Service Executive. It will include patient demographics including age, previous pregnancies, contraception use, and previous terminations.

Detailed information on previous terminations will be included in broader annual abortion report, HSE confirms

More detailed information on abortions carried out in hospitals across the country will be made available by the HSE for the first time, it has emerged.

www.independent.ie

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Global Abortion Rights News @globalabortionnews.bsky.social · 10d

Spain's prime minister is not demanding a "blacklist" of so-called conscientious objectors. It's a registry that would hold accountable doctors (finally!) who abandon patients in favour of their own personal beliefs.

Pedro Sanchez is compiling a blacklist of anti-abortion doctors

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Socialist prime minister, has demanded that the regions of Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands and Madrid – most of which are governed by the Conservative People’s party (PP)...

www.spectator.co.uk

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Terry Bellamak @tbellamak.bsky.social · 13d

Oh great, more disinformation. This stuff can cause real harm to people's lives in the form of unwanted pregnancies, and all the trouble and stress that results from that. Don't get medical advice from fkn TikTok.

#nzpol #abortion @alranz.bsky.social

Fact vs fear: The new social media war against birth control

The pill is under fire on social media. So why is birth control being called "poison" - and what do doctors say?

www.rnz.co.nz

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Hayley @writagal.bsky.social · 24d

This is a very bad thing - and it’s a very bad thing particularly for vulnerable communities.

It’s also much less indicative of the removal of red tape than the rapidly increasing, and very deliberate eroding of democratic norms.

henry cooke @henrycooke.bsky.social · 24d

Officials drafting Government policy say more than half of the time they are being "constrained" from following a normal policy process.

New story from me in The Post:

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Most Government policies skip normal process

Officials are increasingly complaining about constraints when preparing new laws or policies, with time pressures the most common issue.

www.thepost.co.nz

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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 23d

History has many painful lessons.

A screenshot of an X post by Q. Anthony Ali (@NobleQAli
, 12h ago) featuring a black-and-white historical image of a person lying on the ground while others, including a woman kneeling and several standing figures, are around them in what appears to be a park or open area. Below this, a reply by Antonio Benetto (@Tony_Benetto
, 1d ago) to @drmistercody
states: "I don't believe US troops will fire on American citizens."

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Melissa Ryan @melissaryan.bsky.social · 23d

I always pay attention to what stories People Magazine and other consumer media outlets cover. That's how you can tell that something has broken through the usual political and news bubbles. This horrific Chicago story has broken through. people.com/ice-agents-o...

ICE Agents Rappel from Helicopter in Overnight Chicago Raid, Dragging Kids from Beds to U-Hauls

Overnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, federal agents from different agencies raided an apartment building on the South Side of Chicago, pulling men, women and children — some of them allegedly naked — from ...

people.com

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Jessica Valenti @jessicavalenti.bsky.social · 23d

When the news is coming this fast, I need a place to talk it out—and that means a livestream. This week, I couldn’t think of a better partner-in-fire than @mintimm.bsky.social of @reproductivefreedomforall.org

Join us live: open.substack.com/live-stream/...

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D Jukic She/her @dejanajuk.bsky.social · 23d

Gaslighter in chief - Luxon - is back on his bullshit.

Job seekers are applying for 1 job that 900+ are also applying for. It’s not PlayStation that’s the problem, it’s the govt crashing the economy, forcing job cuts in the public sector and the knock on effect in the private sector. #nzpol

'Stop playing PlayStation': PM tells school leavers to 'get off the couch', 'go find a job'

Improving school attendance was 'job number one' for cutting future unemployment, he said.

www.nzherald.co.nz

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Hayley @writagal.bsky.social · 23d

Aside from the (so very many) logical fallacies happening in whatever this is trying to be, it’s truly fascinating that someone with editorial responsibility was sufficiently impressed with this to press go.

Do women have a fraud problem?
Martin Van Beynen

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