Puerto Rican governor signs gender-affirming care ban that sends violators to prison for 15 years

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/puerto-rican-governor-signs-gender-affirming-care-ban-that-sends-violators-to-for-15-years/

Molly Sprayregen (17 July 2025)

Puerto Rican Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón (R) has signed a bill banning gender-affirming care for trans youth under 21. The legislation bans both gender-affirming surgeries (which are rarely performed on minors anyway) and hormone therapy.

Anyone who provides this care to young people faces 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine, as well as the loss of their medical license, according to the Associated Press.

The law reportedly justifies the ban by declaring, "Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is the State's duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being."

Puerto Rico's Federación LGBTQ+ released a joint statement with GLAAD slamming the legislation after both the Puerto Rican House and Senate approved it earlier this year.

"Every person in Puerto Rico deserves to live free from discrimination and with access to essential health care. Every major medical association supports health care for transgender people and youth. Banning this care and stripping the rights of parents to make the best medical decisions for their families would create unbearable burdens for the most marginalized in Puerto Rico."

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on Today at 10:50:55 AM"Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is the State's duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being."

And that is why minors cannot make these decisions on their own. They are required to have a team of healthcare and mental health professionals, as well as their parents, to make the decision together.

The government should never be involved in making healthcare decisions.