25.05.2025, 13:26

Dear signatory,

On 28 April 2025, we sent the list of 704 signatories by registered letter to Prime Minister Bart De Wever and to Deputy Prime Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke. In an introductory letter, we once again expressed our concerns and asked them not to ignore this any longer.
We received the following response from Prime Minister De Wever: We share the view that every policy in healthcare must be based on a scientific basis. The coalition agreement therefore provides that the Federal Knowledge Centre for Healthcare (KCE) will be charged with conducting a study into the use of hormone inhibitors in young people in the context of gender dysphoria. In such a study, the KCE has the task of collecting extensive international scientific evidence. The literature cited in your letter, with the reservations and objections raised therein, naturally belongs here. This KCE study and the resulting report will provide direction for future, scientifically substantiated policy in the context of gender dysphoria.
On the one hand, it is positive news that the federal government is aware of the problem, and that a study will be outsourced to the KCE, and that it will no longer rely solely on the expertise of the gender clinic at Ghent University Hospital. On the other hand, outsourcing this study is an unnecessary step. The British Cass report is clear enough, and the work should not be redone. It seems like ‘winning time’ to reassure all parties.
We were turned down by Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke. Our registered letter was refused by the Vandenbroucke office. In the past, we had already emailed the minister about the gender issue, but we never received a response. By refusing our registered letter, he makes it clear that he is not prepared to hear a counterargument. We find this disrespectful.
When we asked Minister Vandenbroucke's spokesperson why the petition - a registered dispatch - was refused and returned without reply, an evasive answer was given. He promised to investigate the matter, but his answer was not forthcoming. There was also no answer to the question of whether the minister wanted to put the treatment of minors with gender dysphoria on the political agenda. An expert in the cabinet was supposed to look into this, but she turned out to be on vacation.
Doorbraak.be published this incident: Petitie ouders van trans kinderen vangt bot bij minister Vandenbroucke. ().

Jan Cor
Cry for Recognition