Puerto Rico's governor signed a law that bans gender-affirming care for those under 21, including hormone therapy and sexual reassignment surgeries. Medical professionals who violate this law face hefty fines and potential prison sentences. The law argues minors lack the maturity needed to make decisions with irreversible effects. The LGBTQ+ Federation in Puerto Rico condemned the law and intends to challenge its constitutionality. This law places Puerto Rico among several US states that have introduced restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans youth, affecting many in these regions.
The law prohibits hormone therapy and sexual-reassignment surgeries for under-21s, with violations leading to a $50,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison.
The law asserts that minors lack the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity to make decisions with irreversible consequences.
Puerto Rico's LGBTQ+ Federation criticized the law, stating it criminalizes health professionals for caring for trans minors and pledging to challenge its constitutionality.
Over half a dozen US states have enacted similar bans on gender-affirming care, affecting a significant proportion of trans youth in the United States.
Collection
[
|
...
]