Update from Keira Bell…
Keira Bell
May 5, 2022
SUPREME COURT DECISION
Hey everybody,
We have received news that the Supreme Court has denied permission for us to appeal the Court of Appeal decision. We have simply been informed that there is no arguable point of law to be resolved by the Court.
This is of course disappointing news that the Supreme Court seemingly feels similarly to the Court of Appeal in that the protection of these children is not their responsibility. Yet the horrifying facts that the High Court found are still deeply disturbing - such as children as young as 12 are being put on this harmful pathway via ‘puberty blockers’ and that 98% of children who are given puberty blockers proceed further down the line with cross-sex hormones.
Despite the shock that this has not been taken further in the courts, I am overjoyed at the positive changes that have happened and are currently underway since the ground-breaking High Court findings…
The NHS corrected its guidance, reflecting the true unknown nature of puberty blockers.
The pioneers of the ‘Dutch Protocol’ (affirmative approach) cautioned healthcare providers on ‘blindly adopting’ their research.
Sweden & Finland has ceased using the ‘Dutch Protocol’ as its main approach.
Prominent ‘trans care’ providers & WPATH members (including the doctor who operated on Jazz Jennings) have admitted that how children are being treated in this area is concerning and have hinted that the WPATH guidelines are dogmatic.
NICE reported on the very limited evidence base for puberty blocking treatment.
The NHS announced an independent review of ‘Gender Identity Services’ by Dr Hilary Cass. The interim report states that these services are “not a safe or viable long-term option” for children and young people.
The UK health secretary is preparing to launch an inquiry into this type of treatment amidst concerns that the system is "failing children" and inevitably more and more people negatively affected by this affirmation approach, like me, are speaking out.
I feel optimistic that the general public is waking up to this horror and that the (often deliberate) misinformation (and politicisation) that has overpowered this topic for so long is now losing its grip. I hope that dialogue on this issue only opens up further and that the myriad of factors contributing to why children are attending these clinics in the first place are given more attention by everyone and society as a whole.
The Court of Appeal’s judgement also warns clinicians about the risks of providing this controversial treatment without properly obtaining informed consent. It stated:
“We should not finish this judgment without recognising the difficulties and complexities associated with the question of whether children are competent to consent to the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. They raise all the deep issues identified in Gillick, and more. Clinicians will inevitably take great care before recommending treatment to a child and be astute to ensure that the consent obtained from both child and parents is properly informed by the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed course of treatment and in the light of evolving research and understanding of the implications and long-term consequences of such treatment. Great care is needed to ensure that the necessary consents are properly obtained. As Gillick itself made clear, clinicians will be alive to the possibility of regulatory or civil action where, in individual cases, the issue can be tested.”
Everyone, I sincerely thank you SO MUCH for your moral & financial support throughout this process. This honestly couldn’t have happened without you. I wish everyone and their families who have also been affected by this well. It was unbeknown to me how big this case would become & how many people would become aware of such private and sensitive aspects of my life and past. However, the outcome of all of this has made it worth it and I am thankful. Change doesn’t happen overnight.
Thanks again and thank you to Mrs A, my co-claimant,
& our legal team, Sue Evans who was the original claimant before me, TransgenderTrend, Genspect and everyone who has stood up fearlessly and remained dignified and compassionate.
I still have legal costs to cover (my own legal team and the Tavistock’s). Many people have given so generously. If you can make one final donation that would be hugely appreciated.
LOVE.
Update 6
Keira Bell
Oct. 4, 2021