Ohio Legislators Override Veto, Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
In a controversial move that has sparked heated debates and divided opinions, Ohio legislators have banned gender-affirming care for minors, overriding Republican Governor Mike DeWine’s previous veto. This decision puts Ohio in line with more than 20 other states that have implemented similar restrictions in recent years. The bill, known as the Saving Adolescents From Experimentation Act (SAFE Act), prohibits hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and gender-reassignment surgery for individuals under the age of 18. It also prevents transgender girls from participating in sports teams designated for girls and women.
The Republican-led House and Senate both voted to override the governor’s veto, with Republican supermajorities leading both chambers. Supporters of the bill argue that it prioritizes the protection of children. State Senator Stephen Huffman stated, “We tell parents what to do all the time. So this isn’t any different.” Conversely, Democrats contend that the legislation infringes on transgender rights. State Senator Kent Smith expressed his concern, saying, “This legislation is the exact opposite of the American Dream. Instead of providing comfort, it will inflict great pain.”
The implications of this ban are far-reaching, not only for Ohio residents but also for families from out of state who have been traveling to Ohio for gender-affirming care due to similar bans in their own states. The law, which goes into effect in 90 days, will make it significantly more challenging for transgender youth to access the necessary treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Additionally, the prohibition on transgender girls participating in school sports teams designed for girls and women further restricts their opportunities and rights.
Transgender rights advocates have strongly criticized the new law, arguing that it disregards the will of Ohioans and harms vulnerable children. TransOhio, an advocacy group, released a statement expressing their disappointment: “Our youth deserve better from our elected officials than cruelty that targets and harms children. Our community is strong and resilient in ways that hateful legislators cannot comprehend, and trans Ohioans across the state cannot and will not be legislated away.”
The passing of this bill adds to the growing number of anti-trans bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Nearly half of the states have already passed laws targeting transgender individuals, particularly focusing on limiting access to gender-affirming care for trans children and their participation in school sports teams. Many of these bills bear striking similarities to Ohio’s SAFE Act.
Medical professionals and national medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have emphasized that gender-affirming care is medically necessary and appropriate for trans children. However, proponents of the ban argue that the legislation prioritizes children’s health and safety, while opponents believe it is not supported by scientific evidence and will do more harm than good.
Governor DeWine’s veto of the bill in December was seen as a significant departure from his fellow Republican governors on the issue of gender-affirming care. However, DeWine’s subsequent executive order banning gender-reassignment surgeries for minors and imposing stricter regulations on gender-affirming care disappointed many transgender rights advocates and families of trans youth. The Ohio ACLU criticized DeWine’s actions, stating that it made Ohio one of the most restrictive states in the nation for accessing such care.
The back-and-forth surrounding this issue has left Ohio families of transgender children in a state of uncertainty and distress. Many families are considering moving out of state to ensure their children can access the necessary care, further highlighting the impact of this legislation on their lives. Alicia Burkle, a mother with a 10-year-old trans daughter, emphasized the importance of gender-affirming care, saying, “Having the legislators ban it doesn’t make us go, ‘Oh, you’re right, we were crazy all this time.’ We’re just going to have to find ways to get the care for our kid because we know that this is the right thing to do.”
As anti-trans legislation continues to sweep across the country, families like Burkle’s face an uphill battle in securing the care their children need. The ban in Ohio, coupled with similar restrictions in other states, leaves many feeling helpless and uncertain about the future. The fight for transgender rights and access to gender-affirming care remains an ongoing struggle, with advocates vowing to continue their fight and support the transgender community.
