This week on Tranzmission, Ez and Bette speak with specialist sexual health physician Dr Stuart Aitken, one of Queensland’s most experienced clinicians in gender‑affirming care. Stuart reflects on the origins of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service, how the first multidisciplinary gender clinic for trans youth was built, and what it took to shift a health system that had never been designed with trans young people in mind.
Stuart also discusses current research connected to the establishment of the gender clinic, including work from psychologist Olivia Donaghy’s PhD — a series of four studies developed alongside the clinic’s creation GeMS: Gender Mapping Study 2017–2021. Bette & Stuart explore how this research fits into the broader evidence base and why it matters for young people and families seeking care.
It’s a thoughtful, in‑depth discussion with one of the country's leading clinicians who helped shape the landscape of trans health in Queensland, and a look at what comes next for young people, families and the community.
🔗 If you'd like to listen back to the unedited episode - with the music - head to our On Demand website. And don't forget to follow our socials at Facebook and Instagram.
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4ZZZ's community lives and creates on Turrbal, Yuggera, and Jagera land. Sovereignty was never ceded.
Produced and recorded by Ez for Tranzmission at 4zzz in Fortitude Valley, Meanjin/Brisbane Australia on Turrabul and Jaggera Country and edited by Tobi for podcast distribution for Creative Broadcasters Limited.
