Trans* associations and collectives and their allies are speaking at the Technical Roundtable announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs.
Rome, March 28, 2024 As associations and collectives of transgender people and their allies, we are perplexed by the joint communication from Ministers Schillaci and Roccella aimed at defining, in a vertical and centralized manner, the protocols and guidelines for access to gender affirmation programs for young trans* and non-binary people.
It is essential to emphasize that the establishment of the government technical committee to evaluate these approaches, despite recent political and media actions promoting the dangers of these life-saving approaches, has not yet been met with any dialogue with those organizations that have been working for decades to protect the health of trans people. Therefore, we believe it is imperative to directly involve our organizations, to avoid the risk of the committee being directed and led by those who have thus far led an ideological crusade against our community, denying and marginalizing the needs of the youngest trans people, with the real risk of further worsening the conditions of the already dramatically precarious trans population in Italy.
Scientific literature reminds us, in fact, that in the face of the 40% of young trans* people at risk of suicide (see James SE, et al. National Center for Transgender Equality. 2016), Triptorelin therapy reduces this dramatic possibility by 70% (see Turban JL et al. Pediatrics. 2020). Diana Tordoff's study also(MPH Stanford School of Medicine) has shown that legislative interventions adverse to gender affirmation paths can increase the risk of suicide among young trans* people. young trans people supported in their journey of affirmation and supported with developmental suspension therapies, the 60% fewer cases of depression and 73% fewer suicidal thoughts or attempts compared to those who do not receive medical support along the way. Given these unequivocal data, also confirmed in the joint statement issued by ACP, AIT, AME, ONIG, SIAMS, SID, SIE, SIEDP, SIGIS, SIMA, SINPIA (psychiatry section), and SIPPS, we are astonished that the Government has ignored this technical data, but has instead felt the need to wage a seemingly ideological battle, aimed at banning the use of this lifesaving drug, thus pandering to obscurantist rhetoric.
We wonder how it is possible to learn this news only through the press, despite our associations being accredited by the same health institutions through the "infotrans" platform of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, in full recognition of our services and our expertise on issues relating to the well-being of the transgender population.
It therefore seems neither logical nor scientific to us for the Government to unilaterally establish a technical committee aimed at legislating on us and our bodies, ignoring our experiences and skills.
It's important to remember, in fact, that in this country, the only stable protection for the trans community is the work, knowledge, and services provided by trans* associations; it is this internal expertise that has allowed the trans community's concerns regarding fundamental rights such as healthcare to be advanced.
Trans* associations, collectives, and movements are therefore the entities with authoritative experience and expertise that cannot be ignored. If the government wishes to identify experts to whom it can entrust technical assessments on trans health, it certainly cannot ignore our skills and knowledge.
On the other hand, if the purpose of the roundtable is to support obscurantist and transphobic visions, we cannot help but totally dissociate ourselves, reiterating that the transgender community is the only entity legitimated to bring direct experience and to be able to provide some essential skills on issues related to gender identity.
Furthermore, we will in no way consider qualified a technical panel composed of individuals chosen based on criteria of political proximity or known to promote anti-scientific and ideological positions.
Should the Government decide—as we deem appropriate—to involve trans* associations in establishing this forum, we will be ready to provide an adequate response geared solely to protecting the needs and psychophysical well-being of trans people, ensuring a comprehensive, respectful, and scientific approach to the issue.
To these ends and in the interests of the Community, where the Government actually intends to establish a serious and scientific debate on the issues that concern us, we are available to intervene in the terms described, believing that this method is the only one suitable for ensuring that the needs and rights of transgender people are fully recognized and protected.
LGBT+ and Transfeminist Associations
MIT – Trans Identity Movement
Dragonfly Italy APS
ATN – Transgender Association Naples
Gender Lens
Gender X APS
Gay Net
Lucha y Siesta Women's House
EDGE
Rainbow Families
Antinoo Arcigay Naples
Pochos Napoli
Pride Vesuvius Rainbow
Campania Rainbow Coordination
Trans Group
Affections Beyond Gender
Radicals Naples
Mario Mieli Homosexual Culture Circle
ALFI – Italian Lesbian Feminist Association
Rainbow Parents Network
Quore Association
Agapanthus
T Genus
CEST
Romni APS Association
Rowni-Roma Association
Woman Network Italy APS
NUDES
Say Gay Project
Arcigay National
Lesbian Difference Rome
Mandrione Aps joint
Psy Onlus Aps
Arcigay National Trans Network
Omphalos LGBT+
National Agedo
Trans ALA Milan Help Desk
High School Students Network
Free subjectivities and professionals
Antonello Sannino
Cristina Leo, psychologist
Daniela Lourdes Falanga
Fabiomassimo Lozzi, director
Giovanna Auguanno, Psychotherapist
Giulia Senofonte, Endocrinologist
Milo Serraglia, trainer
Octavia Voza
Ruby Rose
Tanya Di Martino
Laura Princivalli
Arianna Miriam Fiumefreddo
Gianmarco Negri, lawyer
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