Canadian doctor FINED for refusing to administer child sex change injection

A Human Rights Tribunal has ordered a British Columbia family doctor pay $28,100 after he refused to administer a hormone-blocking injection to a trans-identified teen over the doctor’s religious and cultural beliefs.

The tribunal found on September 1 that Dr. Henry Ajaero’s conduct was discriminatory. He has run a family practice in Delta since 2014, per CBC.

At a March 2021 appointment, Ajaero had told the trans-identified teen and the teen’s mother that he would not inject Lupron, a medication typically used to treat prostate cancer and early-onset puberty, which has been used by doctors to halt a trans-identified child’s progression through biological puberty, claiming that it “pauses” it. He told the teen and mother he “did not feel comfortable administering it.”

The doctor argued to the tribunal that he did not give the injection to the teen because "doing so would go against his religious beliefs" and "because it is outside the scope of his practice."

The tribunal rejected his claims, writing in its decision, “Dr. Ajaero has not established that either the Religion Standard or the Expertise Standard were reasonably necessary to achieve their purposes. This is likely because they were developed quickly, in the context of a busy and stressful day, with incomplete information.”

"This context is an explanation for Dr. Ajaero’s decision, but it does not justify his decision to deny medical services to a vulnerable trans youth because of her gender identity."

The 14-year-old began identifying as transgender in 2020, reportedly struggling with mental health as the teen entered puberty. The tribunal decision described the teen as a “brave, sensitive, kind transgender girl.” Ajaero had referred to the teen to the BC Gender Clinic, where a doctor prescribed Lupron. The teen, identified as Child Q, said starting the medication was “one of the best days of my life.”

While Lupron can be injected at home, the teen and family members preferred to have it done at the doctor. The teen’s first appointment to get an injection at her family’s doctor was set to take place on March 5, 2021. When Ajaero learned that the shot he would be administering was Lupron, he said he would not be giving it. The decision read, "He explained this was for religious and cultural reasons, and he hoped that was OK. Mother Q said it was not OK."

Charting notes from the appointment read, “I noticed that the injection is for gender re-assignment as patient is already in the waiting room with [her] mother. I called mother into the room and explained to her that I would not be able to give the injection. Based on my religious belief and cultural background.” Ajaero attended medical school in Nigeria, and practiced in Nigeria, South Africa, and rural BC before opening the Delta clinic. He is Christian and said “his religion is an important part of his life."

The decision read, "He testified that he had never interacted with a trans person (to his knowledge) or been involved in any 'gender therapy.' He had never administered Lupron for any purpose. It was apparent from his evidence that, in all the circumstances, he felt uncomfortable and unprepared.”