Gov. On Friday, Mike DeWine remained silent about whether he would support legislation that would limit transgender women ‘ access to adult sports and health care for minors.
The government stated in a press conference that he intends to “hard look” at the bill and consult with relevant parties. But he did n’t go so far as to promise to either sign or veto it.
DeWine stated,” The only thing I will say is that people on both sides of this debate, who naturally have quite different points of view, I do feel are concerned about children.”
DeWine’s remarks came shortly after the House and Senate passed a final act that would forbid physicians from writing prescriptions for estrogen, puberty blockers, or gender reassignment surgery before the age of 18. As long as physicians determine that stopping the prescribed may be harmful, Ohio residents who are already taking hormones or puberty blockers may proceed.
To diagnose and treat sex dysmorphia, mental health professionals would need the approval of at least one parent or guardian.
The costs, according to supporters, is necessary to safeguard children. DeWine has been urged to reject it by Democrats and rulers of children’s hospitals.
According to Nick Lashutka, president and CEO of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, if this bill is passed, it will be devastating to children and their families who are already at their most vulnerable and may create an overwhelming barrier between patients and medical professionals for frequently life-saving care.
House Bill 68 forbids transgender women from participating in sexual activities.
According to House Bill 68, a transgender student athlete’s birth testicles determines which sports teams they can perform for. Transgender women who have undergone at least one year of testosterone treatments are now permitted to visit female teams by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
For the 2023–2024 academic year, seven transgender girls were granted permission to participate in girls ‘ sports at OHSAA schools.
DeWine argued that the government should n’t handle the issue and opposed earlier attempts to forbid transgender girls and women from participating in female sports. The health care bill and that measure were immediately separate, but House lawmakers eventually combined them into one plan.
Ohio House Democrats wrote in a letter to DeWine,” If this cruel act that disregards evidence-based knowledge becomes laws, we are more normalizing the prejudice facing the transgender and non-binary group, especially in this case of trans youth and their families.”
The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which covers the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal, and 18 other associated media companies in Ohio, employs Haley BeMiller as a writer.
