This decision runs contrary to the Executive’s stated agreement to participate in this trial, and demonstrates that the apparent need for evidence-gathering and more research are being abandoned in favour of political game-playing and culture wars.

Alexa Moore, Policy Campaigns & Communications Manager at The Rainbow Project, said, “The Executive claimed that its ban on puberty blockers was based on evidence: this decision is very clearly based on politics. This clinical trial was held up by Executive parties across the board as a means by which to gather the evidence for the use of blockers, assess their safety and efficacy, and make a decision on their use on that basis.

“Trans communities are bearing the brunt of a political culture that views us as a stick with which to beat political opponents, not as real people with real lives and real healthcare needs. This decision demonstrates that no amount of evidence, no amount of research, no amount of suffering within trans communities will trump the need for politicians to score political points against each other at our expense.”

A Freedom of Information Request submitted by Belfast Live and seen by The Rainbow Project showed that, when approving the indefinite ban on puberty blockers, “Ministers agreed that the scientific and medical advice must be followed and noted the importance in public messaging of referring to the clinical trial as providing an evidence base for future policy decisions in this area.”

Scott Cuthbertson, CEO of The Rainbow Project, said, “The Health Minister’s reversal of his position on this clinical trial, coming on the same week as the Justice Minister was forced by Executive colleagues to remove protections for trans people from her Hate Crime legislation, demonstrates very clearly that this Executive is not interested in doing anything at all to improve the lives of trans people.

“We are clear: the Executive’s decision to ban puberty blockers was contingent on both the funding of gender services and participation in this clinical trial. All Executive parties agreed to this course of action. If Northern Ireland will not partake in these trials, Northern Ireland should not have a ban on puberty blockers – it should be reversed, and doctors should once again be empowered to make decisions in the best interests of their patients.”

ENDS

Notes to the editor:

• The Freedom of Information request referenced above can be found here: https://www.rainbow-project.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Final-Executive-Minutes-E-M-24-22-Executive-meeting-10-December-2024-1.pdf
• The indefinite ban on puberty blockers, passed by the Executive in December 2024, only applies to their use as treatment for under-18s experiencing gender incongruence. Puberty blockers remain routine medicine used in other treatments, including for under-18s, such as precocious puberty.
• The Justice Minister stated in the Assembly on Tuesday 10th February that “I sought the agreement of [Executive] colleagues to include “transgender” in the list of protected groups under the hate crime provisions in the sentencing Bill. Regrettably, there has been a lack of consensus on that measure, so I have had to remove “transgender” from the list of protected groups identified in the Bill.”

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Pop us an email, let’s have a chat about it:  events@rainbow-project.org

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Fans had the opportunity to purchase the Giants’ Pride jersey, which was also worn by the team, proceeds from which went towards our work to deliver LGBTQIA+ equality in Northern Ireland. Fans were also able to buy tickets for the Shirt Off The Back raffle, giving them the chance to win jerseys worn by some of the Giants during the Pride game, again with all proceeds donated to The Rainbow Project to help fund our vital services. This support directly helps us continue delivering mental health support, advocacy, impactful campaigns, and life-saving services for LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

On the night, our team were also based on The Bridge, speaking with fans about the work we do and sharing information about how people can access support. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when sport and community come together in solidarity.

A huge thank you to the Belfast Giants and their supporters for standing with us – all are equal in the land of the Giants!

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Support for trans young people and their families is vital. Parents and families need to be provided with the space to process, ask questions, and talk to people who have been through it all before. Young people need to know that they aren’t alone, and that they and their families will be supported throughout what can be a challenging time.

Rainbow’s new Trans Family Support Service – SAIL – will be there, with dedicated support for families from professionals who have been working with trans communities and their families for years.

SAIL will ensure a continuity of support for transgender young people and their families in Northern Ireland.

You can get in touch with SAIL @ The Rainbow Project through our usual channels – email sail@rainbow-project.org, or call our Belfast office at 028 9031 9030.

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Alexa Moore, Policy Campaigns and Communications Manager at The Rainbow Project, said, “All of our young people are entitled to and should enjoy the best possible education that we can offer them – including LGBT pupils. The Minister’s removal of this guidance at the very start of the school term hasn’t been good for pupils, for teachers, or for parents. We urge him to reinstate the guidance and meaningfully engage with the young people affected by his decisions.”

The joint statement references the Department’s own research published in 2017 after it emerged this morning that the Department has removed the publication from its website. The report showed that, at the time, around two thirds of LGBT pupils did not feel safe and supported in school, and that trans pupils faced key issues addressed in the guidance including access to toilets, flexible uniform policies, and appropriate use of name and pronouns.

Susan Neill, vice-chair of NIC-ICTU’s Education Group, which “represents thousands of dedicated education workers from teachers to support staff,” expressed that they are “gravely concerned that this important guidance has been withdrawn and would ask that the Minister immediately publish the legal basis for the withdrawal.”

Susan added, “Given the legal uncertainty as to how the Supreme Court judgement applies to Northern Irelands devolved institutions, we believe that this is at best a premature move on the part of a Minister who would be better to focus on delivering educational outcomes for every child in every school across Northern Ireland. We are also concerned about the absence of discussion or consultation with stakeholders, and we urge the NI Assembly Education Committee to seek the legal basis for the Minister’s decision, and to seek the restoration of the guidance to the EA website.”

The detailed guidance, which placed no legal obligations on schools, explored issues including appropriate use of name and pronouns, access to facilities, and safeguarding considerations in depth. It has been replaced by a page long ‘Policy Statement’ which outlines the Department’s legal position but provides little advice to teachers for supporting young people.

Cohen Taylor, Chairperson of the NI Youth Forum has said, ”In its most recent report, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child made it clear that our government must act to protect LGBTQIA+ young people. The NI Youth Forum is committed to securing a Bill of Rights that guarantees safety, equality and dignity for every young person, including LGBTQIA+ youth. Restoring the existing guidance on supporting transgender and gender diverse young people is a necessary step towards that goal.”

Read the full statement below:

We the undersigned LGBTQIA+, human rights organisations and education unions are disappointed and concerned by the Education Minister’s decision to remove guidance which provided information to schools in relation to supporting transgender and gender diverse pupils.

Transgender young people in school are entitled to compassion, acceptance and support. The removal of guidance for supporting these young people, with no replacement guidance, is a step back for those young people struggling in school, as well as their parents and teachers seeking to support them.

The previous guidance from the Education Authority was non-statutory and non-binding, meaning schools already had scope to support pupils in a manner that suited the individual school. It is vital that schools are an inclusive, welcoming and empowering space for all pupils. This decision, taken without any meaningful consultation with the children and young people it will impact upon, is contrary to that goal.

The Department’s own 2017 research identified that appropriate access to toilets, changing facilities, and flexibility with uniform policies were key issues trans young people faced, and the key issues that caused over half of LGBT pupils to not feel supported in schools.

The Minister has clearly misunderstood that to consider children’s best interests is to consider the best interests of each individual child, including children and young people who are developing their own understanding of their identity. We are in no doubt that his decision will have direct consequences for pupils. It will affect their ability to fully participate in school life, to thrive in their educational environment, and will have knock-on impacts on other services including CAMHS.

The Minister has a responsibility to prioritise the education and wellbeing of all pupils over stoking political culture wars. We call on him to reinstate this guidance and to meaningfully engage with the young people, parents and school staff this directly affects.

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