Argentina’s President Javier Milei has signed a decree prohibiting gender-related medical treatments for individuals under 18, according to a presidential spokesperson. The decision marks a reversal of a 2012 law that permitted minors to undergo such treatments with parental or guardian consent.
The announcement comes after LGBTQ+ activists criticized Milei’s Davos speech, where he condemned “wokeism,” feminism, and made controversial LGBTQ+ remarks. Despite protests, the administration upheld its stance against the “extreme” application of gender ideology to children.
Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni called medical gender transitions for minors “child abuse,” arguing children lack the maturity for irreversible decisions. The repeal blocks minors from medical or surgical gender transition procedures.
The measure reflects a global conservative pushback against gender ideology. In recent years, several countries and U.S. states have enacted similar restrictions. Supporters say the decree protects children from harm, while opponents argue it limits transgender youth rights.
Medical professionals in Argentina are now required to comply with the new policy, with penalties possible for those who provide gender-related treatments to minors. Both sides pledge to fight, with legal challenges expected in Argentina’s courts. Legal experts warn the decree may face constitutional challenges, delaying implementation.
Public opinion in Argentina is divided. Conservative and religious groups support the measure, while progressive organizations and LGBTQ+ advocates call it a setback for human rights. Argentina, once a pioneer in Latin America for gender rights, now finds itself at the center of a contentious debate over personal freedoms and government intervention.
President Milei’s government has positioned itself as a defender of traditional values, frequently challenging progressive policies on gender and sexuality. The latest decree will likely face legal challenges from advocacy groups. It marks a significant shift in Argentina’s approach to gender issues under the new administration.
