A family physician in British Columbia has been instructed to pay $28,100 for declining to administer a hormone blocker to a transgender adolescent, citing religious and cultural grounds. Dr. Henry Ajaero, who has managed a family clinic in Delta since 2014, was directed to provide the compensation following a B.C. Human Rights ruling on September 1, which determined his actions as discriminatory.
In March 2021, Ajaero informed a transgender teenager and her mother, who had scheduled an appointment at his clinic, that he would not administer a prescribed medication known as Lupron, stating that he felt uncomfortable with the task. Ajaero argued before the tribunal that his religious beliefs and the scope of his practice prevented him from administering the injection.
The tribunal concluded that there was no valid conflict between his religious beliefs and the medical treatment sought by the teenager. The decision highlighted that the swift development of his decision during a hectic day with incomplete information did not justify his denial of medical services to a vulnerable transgender youth based on her gender identity.
The ruling described the 14-year-old, referred to as Child Q, as a courageous and compassionate transgender girl. After coming out as transgender in late 2020 and experiencing mental health challenges during puberty, she was prescribed Lupron by an endocrinologist at the B.C. Gender Clinic to pause puberty. Child Q expressed that starting the medication was a significant moment in her life.
Although Lupron could be self-administered at home, Child Q and her family preferred a doctor’s assistance. However, during her initial appointment for the injection on March 5, Ajaero declined to administer the medication upon learning it was Lupron, citing religious and cultural reasons. Child Q’s mother objected to this refusal.
Ajaero’s notes from the appointment indicated that he declined the injection based on religious beliefs and cultural background, emphasizing his lack of experience with transgender individuals or gender therapy. The decision clarified that Lupron was not for gender reassignment but to provide Child Q time to explore her gender identity options, which did not inherently conflict with Ajaero’s belief in the creation of man and woman by God.
The ruling mentioned Ajaero’s medical background in Nigeria, South Africa, and rural B.C., highlighting his Christian faith as a significant aspect of his life. Ajaero, who sees around 2,800 to 2,900 patients per week, testified that he felt unprepared and uncomfortable due to lack of experience with transgender care and Lupron administration, exacerbated by the pandemic situation at the time.
While acknowledging Ajaero’s discomfort as a factor in his decision, the tribunal rejected his plea to restrict the publication of identifying information, noting that there was no evidence suggesting similar risks for doctors providing gender-affirming care who refuse such treatment. The decision emphasized the importance of not assuming equal public reactions towards doctors on both sides of the issue.
