Puerto Rico bans ‘gender-affirming care’ for people under 21

Puerto Rico recently enacted a ban on so-called gender-affirming care, delivering a big win for conservatives in the American territory.

Republican Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón signed a measure last week prohibiting hormone therapy and sex-change surgeries for anyone under 21 years old. Unlike most U.S. states, Puerto Rico sets the age of majority at 21, meaning the law blocks these procedures for both minors and young adults.

The law takes effect in October and includes stiff penalties for doctors who violate it: up to 15 years in prison, a $50,000 fine per instance and permanent revocation of medical licenses and business permits.

“Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences,” the law says. “Therefore, it is the State’s duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being.”

Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, PNP/R-San Juan, the bill’s author, praised the law’s passage.

“The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable!” he wrote Thursday on social media, thanking Gov. González and the Legislature.

Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve, PD-San Juan, added: “Now no minor will be able to be subjected to treatment for alleged ‘sex change.’ … This is great news for Puerto Rico!”

González-Colón signed the legislation despite opposition from the Puerto Rico Psychological Association and ACLU.

The island’s LGBTQ+ Federation announced plans to challenge the law in court.

“Let there be no doubt: We will go to court to challenge the constitutionality of the governor’s cruel and inhumane signing of a law that criminalizes health professionals for caring for trans minors,” the group’s co-director, Justin Jesús Santiago, said in a statement.

Puerto Rico joins a growing list of jurisdictions cracking down on so-called gender-affirming care, a controversial set of medical practices including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgical removal or modification of healthy body parts.

Twenty-seven states have adopted some form of restriction in recent years, according to Movement Advancement Project.

By setting the age to seek so-called gender-affirming care at 21, Puerto Rico’s law offers the strongest protections yet of any U.S. state or territory.