On June 5, 2025, Belgian police in Brussels arrested pro-life activist Lois McLatchie Miller and child protection advocate Chris Elston for peacefully holding signs opposing transgender medical procedures for children. Their messages were reflective of common sense views on the subject, such as \u201cChildren are never born in the wrong body\u201d and \u201cChildren cannot consent to puberty blockers\u201d. This crackdown on free speech raises alarms about the erosion of fundamental rights in Europe, where voicing concerns about radical gender ideology can lead to detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The arrests occurred as Miller and Elston faced an angry mob, yet they remained steadfast, displaying their signs to highlight the dangers of irreversible medical interventions on minors. Puberty blockers and transgender surgeries, often promoted under the guise of \u201cgender-affirming care,\u201d can cause lasting harm\u2014sterility, bone density loss, and psychological distress\u2014and children lack the maturity to consent. The Belgian police, rather than protecting these advocates\u2019 right to protest, silenced them, bowing to a progressive agenda that dismisses science and parental oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n