Ohio Governor Defies Legislation, Rejects Bill Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill that sought to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the state. The bill, known as HB 68, had been passed by lawmakers but faced opposition from the governor, who argued that it would be inappropriate for the government to dictate healthcare decisions for youth, especially in matters that involve their parents.
HB 68 aimed to restrict gender-affirming care, encompassing interventions such as hormone blockers, hormone replacement therapy, and medical or surgical procedures, for both transgender and nonbinary youth. It also addressed the participation of transgender athletes in female sports. Governor DeWine’s decision to veto the bill was praised by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, which called it a “huge win for trans youth and their families in Ohio.”
Approximately 20 other states have already implemented laws prohibiting gender-affirming care for youth. The governor emphasized that he based his decision on conversations with transitioned adults who reported thriving after receiving such care. He also highlighted interactions with parents of transgender children who credited gender-affirming treatment with saving their child’s life.
Governor DeWine stressed the importance of protecting human life and advocated for decisions regarding gender-affirming care to be made by parents in consultation with medical professionals. The American Medical Association recognizes gender-affirming care as essential for improving the physical and mental health of transgender individuals. DeWine expressed concern that the bill, if passed, would subject physicians providing gender-affirming care to disciplinary action by professional licensing boards, emphasizing the need for these decisions to be made by parents in consultation with medical experts.
