BC doctor ordered to pay $28,100 after refusing puberty blocker for transgender teen

In a September 1 decision, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal found Dr. Henry Ajaero liable for discrimination after he refused to give a transgender teen a Lupron injection, a medication prescribed by the provincial Gender Clinic to delay puberty. Ajaero cited religious and cultural reasons and claimed the procedure was beyond his expertise, but the tribunal determined these arguments did not excuse the denial of care. The teen, identified as Child Q, and her mother preferred the injection be administered by a physician, but after the refusal they never returned to the practice.

The tribunal ordered Ajaero to pay $28,100 in compensation and denied his request to keep his name and clinic details private, noting no evidence of threats to doctors refusing gender-affirming care. The ruling underscores that personal beliefs do not override the provision of legally prescribed medical services. Ajaero, who has practiced in Delta since 2014 and holds Christian beliefs, testified he felt uncomfortable and unprepared, but the tribunal concluded the conduct was discriminatory.