Colombia Bill Opens New Debate Over Gender-Affirming Treatments for Minors
Colombia could significantly change the rules governing how minors access certain gender-affirming medical treatments. A bill introduced in Congress seeks to prohibit the use of puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormone treatments and certain surgical procedures for people under 18 when intended to modify sexual characteristics to align with a gender identity different from their sex assigned […]
Colombia's proposed Laura Law, named after a young woman who underwent gender-affirming medical treatment and later detransitioned, seeks to ban puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormone treatments, and certain surgical procedures for minors under 18. The bill, introduced on August 26, 2026, as Senate Bill 211, has sparked debate over child protection, medical autonomy, informed consent, fundamental rights, and gender identity.
Introduced by Senators Andrés Eduardo Forero, Sara Castellanos, and Representative Luis Miguel López Aristizábal, among others, the law aims to protect minors from potential irreversible effects of medical interventions. Supporters argue that minors may not fully comprehend the consequences of such treatments, citing Laura's case as an example.
The bill would restrict the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and specific surgical procedures, while allowing exceptions for certain medical conditions affecting sexual development. If approved, the law would also impose new requirements and sanctions on healthcare professionals and institutions providing prohibited treatments.
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