Puerto Rico Bans Transgender Surgery for Minors

(MENAFN) Puerto Rico has passed a new statute prohibiting gender transition surgeries and hormone-based therapies for individuals younger than 21, making it the most stringent law of its kind in the United States.

This legislative move is consistent with current federal initiatives related to gender issues.

The measure, which was officially approved on Wednesday, enforces severe consequences—including imprisonment for up to 15 years and monetary penalties reaching $50,000—on anyone convicted of conducting surgical procedures or prescribing hormone therapies to minors and young adults.

Additionally, the law requires the cancellation of medical licenses and operational permits for any healthcare provider involved in these treatments.

The new regulation also forbids the allocation of government funds for such medical procedures.

“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—scheduled to become active in October—emphasizes.

The Puerto Rico LGBTQ+ Federation has strongly opposed the legislation, labeling it both prejudiced and hazardous.

The organization cautions that the law could further marginalize transgender youth and drive them to pursue unsafe or unregulated alternatives.

Justin Jesus Santiago, the group’s director, has pledged to contest the statute’s legality in court, asserting that it violates Puerto Rico’s constitutional protections.

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