Argentina’s President Bans Gender-Affirming Care for Anyone Under 18

Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, has recently signed a decree that prohibits gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 18, a decision confirmed by a spokesperson from the presidential office on Wednesday. This decree has generated significant discussion both domestically and internationally.
The announcement follows a wave of protests from Argentina’s LGBTQ+ community, which mobilized in response to President Milei’s controversial comments made at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. During his speech, President Milei voiced strong criticisms of “wokeism,” feminism, and made remarks about the LGBTQ+ community, including referring to homosexuals as “pedophiles.”
In his statement to the press, Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni provided further details regarding the new decree. He confirmed the repeal of a provision from the 2012 gender identity law, which previously allowed minors to access gender-affirming treatments with the consent of their parents or guardians. The new decree effectively removes this provision for those under 18.
The government’s reasoning behind this policy change, as expressed in an official statement, frames gender-affirming care as an extreme form of “gender ideology.”  The statement further argues that applying these practices to minors is not only inappropriate but also detrimental, suggesting that it amounts to “psychological coercion” or even “child abuse.” The government contends that children, in their view, lack the cognitive maturity necessary to make irreversible decisions regarding their gender identity and related medical interventions. The decree is a protective measure intended to safeguard minors from premature and irreversible medical procedures.
As expected, this move has drawn both local and international criticism in which advocates of the ‘wokeism’ agenda including the LGBTQ+ community and numerous human rights organizations have expressed concern over the decision, warning that it could harm minors in need of gender-affirming care and may contribute to a climate of discrimination and stigma. Nonetheless, this decree has received support from many who believe it serves the best interests of minors, highlighting the importance of allowing children sufficient time and cognitive maturity before making such significant life decisions.