Professor Simon Denny is the Director of the Mater Young Adult Health Centre. 

Simon’s area of research is focused on young people and their wellbeing. He believes that by helping young people during their critical adolescent years we can ensure that they lead healthier and happier lives as adults. Simon’s research is currently focused on understanding how health services can help young people struggling with complex health issues that are impacting on their wellbeing.  

Simon spoke at a Tuesday Dialogue on the topic of Youth Crime, in March of 2023

At the August Tuesday Dialogue, Jillian Spencer discussed her concerns with the affirmation model of gender transition for gender dysphoric adolescents at the Royal Children’s Hospital. 

Jillian is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with 20 years experience

A dot point summary of her presentation is:

• Before the establishment of gender clinics with a gender affirming model, the number of children / adolescents seeking gender reassignment was much smaller than today.

• A Dutch study (de Vries)  involving puberty blocking drugs, cross sex hormones and gender surgery with relatively small numbers generated much of the initial interest. The science of this study has been criticised.

• The recent very rapid rise NB in adolescent girls wishing to transition, raises issues of social contagion as a driving factor.

• Jillian was also concerned that underlying psycho social issues including depression and autism are often unexplored contributors to gender dysphoria. 

• Before puberty blocking medications, between 60-90% of subjects would become comfortable in their own body and not go through with transition.

• Puberty blocking drugs have potentially severe adverse consequences.  The degree to which these are reversible when they are discontinued is unknown.

• The claim that adolescents who are denied puberty blocking drugs / transition are at high risk of self harm is unsubstantiated.

• The Hilary Cass review in Britain highlighted these uncertainties and led to an embargo on their usage.

• In Australia, courts have recently become involved in the issue and a judge has criticised the Australian Standards of Care.

• Many gender dysphoric adolescents actually may be exploring homosexuality; Jillian is concerned the transitioning process may inhibit their ability to experience pleasure in their own bodies with appropriate partners.

• Jillian's expressing some of these concerns, NB about an approach of unconditional affirmation at the QCH, led to a complaint and her being stood down.  Several reviews of her status are currently underway.

Simon Denny has a different point of view and would like to discuss this with Brisbane Dialoguers. 

Simon has authored over 80 publications, and has received more than $10 Million in competitive funding from national and international institutions. He is currently Chair of the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Committee for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Join us on October 7th to hear Simon’s thoughts and engage in civil discourse on this difficult topic

Tuesday Dialogues General

Arrive from 5.30pm to meet and catch up with TBD people (active volunteers and supporters, partners, sponsors and previous speakers). Guests are free to leave from 7pm but the discussion always continues. Location to be detailed on confirmation emails.Tuesday Dialogues provide a safe space for free speech from differing perspectives and of course The Brisbane Rule applies. The Principle of Charity is another good one to bear in mind. In some cases, the Chatham House Rule may be invoked. Discussions are not recorded, though notes may be taken and meeting notes might be published, anonymised if appropriate.

Pay forward or what you can afford to keep TD self-sustaining and contributing a little to The Brisbane Dialogues, with student and young grad volunteers and interns (and former speakers and valued sponsors) very welcome to enjoy a freebie.

Note that TD is a private series for active volunteers, interns, supporters and partners of The Brisbane Dialogues. Email us if you would like to be actively involved, or would like to bring a guest who is interested. To save embarrassment and respect the volunteers who make a significant effort to manage attendance numbers and these events in general, please don't try to turn up without reserving a place.

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List of past and current Dialogues events.