Italy Moves to Restrict Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors

Italy Approves Draft Law Restricting Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors

Italy’s right-wing government has approved a controversial draft law that would impose stricter controls on gender-affirming medical care for minors. The move has ignited protests from transgender rights groups, who warn that the legislation could delay or deny critical treatment for young people experiencing gender dysphoria.

Key Provisions of the Draft Law

The proposed legislation, still subject to parliamentary approval, aims to regulate the use of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for individuals under 18. Key elements include:

• Mandatory Protocols: Treatment will only be allowed under protocols yet to be defined by the Ministry of Health.
• Ethics Committee Oversight: Until protocols are finalized, approval must come from a national ethics committee composed of pediatricians.
• National Registry: A new registry at the Italian Medicines Agency will track the use of gender-affirming medications and collect detailed medical histories of transgender individuals undergoing treatment.

Government’s Justification

The government claims the law is necessary “to protect the health of minors” and to ensure “effective data monitoring.” Gender dysphoria, the clinical term for distress caused by a mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex at birth, is cited as the condition requiring regulation.

Backlash from Trans Rights Advocates

Activists argue that the law amounts to profiling and could lead to harmful delays in care. Roberta Parigiani of the Trans Identity Movement criticized the registry as a violation of privacy and warned that added layers of approval could prevent timely treatment for teenagers.

“It’s not like you can wait one or two years,” Parigiani said, emphasizing the urgency of care for young people.

Political Context

Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s government has taken a hardline stance against what it calls “gender ideology.” In recent years, the administration has:

• Made it harder for same-sex couples to be legally recognized as parents
• Criminalized surrogacy abroad for Italian couples

Given Meloni’s coalition holds a parliamentary majority, the draft bill is likely to pass with minimal changes.