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House passes resolution urging reversal of federal court ruling on non-binary gender option in birth records
Summary
The House approved a concurrent resolution (Ce1mara Concurrente 21) expressing opposition to a federal district court ruling that permitted non-binary gender entries on demographic records; vote 36-15.
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved a concurrent resolution (Resolucif3n Concurrente de la Ce1mara 21) on June 19 expressing the legislative bodys opposition to a recent federal district court decision that allowed a non-binary gender option on vital records.
Representative Georgie Navarro Sue1rez, sponsor of the resolution, argued the certificate of birth is a biological record that traditionally records sex at birth and said the court decision introduces administrative uncertainty for government records and services. He urged the chamber to express the majoritys view and recommended the commonwealth consider appeal options.
Opponents challenged the measure on civil-rights and humanitarian grounds during floor debate. Representative Ferrer Santiago said the court systems rulings should be respected and that the House should not prioritize symbolic gestures over urgent governance and social issues. Representative Lourdes Ramos criticized the courts approach and defended the resolution as consistent with traditional registration practices.
The chamber approved the concurrent resolution by a vote of 36 in favor and 15 opposed. The resolution expresses the legislatures formal opposition to the federal ruling and urges consideration of legal appeals.
Supporters said the measure is non-binding but intended to signal the assemblys position; critics said it could stigmatize transgender and non-binary residents and divert attention from other policy priorities. The vote was taken as part of a cluster of final votes the House completed that afternoon.
