As a landmark case decision hangs in the balance, human rights organizations are calling on Brazil’s Supreme Court to protect children from gender-“transition” medical interventions that often cause irreversible harm, by banning them for individuals under 21.
The court is weighing a case brought by “trans-activist groups” that challenged the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine’s move in April to ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and “transition” surgeries on children and young adults, according to a July 14 press release from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International.
Outlet Folha de S. Paulo reported in April that the council approved the changes through a resolution that also raises the age minimum for cross-sex hormones from 16 to 18 and the minimum age for “gender reassignment surgeries” that may have a “potential sterilizing effect” from 18 to 21. ADF International and Brazilian organization Instituto Isabel filed an amicus brief with the court in support of the council’s resolution, arguing that it “addresses pressing public health concerns and is supported by international law,” according to the release. “It references the long-lasting harms of so-called ‘transgender’ medical interventions for minors, calling on Brazil to ensure the right to health of children by prohibiting access to experimental interventions.”
The amicus brief also spotlights medical research that backs policies to end gender-“transition” medical interventions on children and instead provide psychological help. The release emphasizes that a number of countries, such as the United Kingdom, Chile, and Argentina, are taking steps to protect children from these invasive interventions especially as further research and ethical and medical concerns continue to surface.
Instituto Isabel President Andrea Hoffmann stated in the release that the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine’s recent moves indicate the international movement to protect children against this ideology.
“Governments are beginning to recognize that so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ for minors is anything but settled,” Hoffmann said. “Brazil’s actions reflect a broader international shift — one that puts the wellbeing of children ahead of political pressure and medical experimentation. We urge the Supreme Federal Tribunal to uphold the Medical Council’s decision and affirm the country’s duty to protect children and safeguard ethical medical practice.”
ADF International Director of Advocacy for Latin America Tomás Henriquez seconded this concern for children.
“No child should be subjected to dangerous experiments that carry permanent, life-altering consequences,” Henriquez said in the release. “We fully endorse the Brazilian Medical Council’s decision to prohibit these so-called treatments and have urged the Supreme Federal Tribunal to uphold the decision in accordance with Brazil’s international human rights obligations to protect children. This is about ensuring that medical practice remains rooted in evidence and ethics, not gender ideology.”
A case decision is expected later this year.
