On July 16, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed a law banning the performance of gender-care services on people under 21-years-old.
Puerto Rico’s “Law for the Protection of the Health and Well-being of Minors in Puerto Rico,” will explicitly prohibit medical practices generating “irreversible” consequences for children and adolescents.
The law makes it a crime to perform these services and imposes a 15-year prison sentence on violators. Additionally, violators will face a fine of $50,000 and revocation of any medical licenses and permits along with being banned from conducting service in Puerto Rico.
Concerning its rationale, the law is based on the lack of complete personal development in minors prior to adulthood.
“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.”
Justin Jesús Santiago, co-director of the LGBTQ+ Federation, declared his federation will sue Puerto Rico for banning gender-care services.
“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,” Jesús Santiago said.
Pedro Julio Serrano, president of the LGBTQ+ Federation, condemned González’s decision to sign the law as shameful, calling her “the most anti-equity governor in history.”
The law was sponsored by Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, who said on X, “The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable!” (Translation provided by The Hill).
Puerto Rico’s law is another effort in prohibiting gender care for minors – in this case, for Puerto Rico, including the three years following age 18 – throughout the US, with at least half of the country having some ban in place against such services.
