By H. L. COMERIATO (THEY/THEM), editor, and KEN SCHNECK (HE/HIM),
Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, on Friday vetoed HB 68, a bill that would have outlawed gender-affirming treatment in Ohio and barred transgender women from participating in children’s sports teams in K–12 and college athletics.
DeWine consistently argued that the “government does not know better than families” and that he could not sign this bill as it is currently written.
On December 13, the Ohio Senate passed HB 68, which was sent to DeWine for his signature. After receiving the act, the governor had 10 days to decide. To bypass the filibuster, the Republican-led state government needs a 3/5 vote.
DeWine explained in the briefing that during his visits to children’s hospitals in Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati, he met with detransitionists, medical professionals, gender-affirming care providers, bill sponsor Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), and other affected parties during those 10 days.
He cited his discussions with the parents of trans children as factors in his choice to veto the legislation.
DeWine remarked, “Kids have looked me in the eye and have told me that their child might be dead but for this treatment. They informed me that their child is only still alive because of the gender-affirming treatment they have received.”
DeWine frequently used pro-life language during the briefing, much like the language he used to resist the nationwide abortion access amendment that was approved in November.
DeWine stated regarding HB 68, “In the end, I think this is about preserving lives.”
DeWine claimed that the provision of HB 68 prohibiting trans female athletes from participating in school sports from kindergarten through school had no bearing on his decision.
“The sports section of this bill is undoubtedly significant, but it only affects a small number of kids,” DeWine said.
Three courses of action
Despite his veto, DeWine listed three areas where his administration will act in terms of providing gender-affirming treatment.
First, he talked about a law that would prohibit trans Ohioans under the age of 18 from undergoing gender-affirming surgeries.
However, DeWine specifically pointed out that none of Ohio’s hospitals or clinics, including the five state-leading pediatric hospitals, currently perform gender-affirming surgeries on transgender youth.
“None of the people I spoke to mentioned surgery,” according to DeWine. “They said, ‘My child would not be alive today but for the care they received, and if you take this treatment away, there will be other people who are not going to be able to get this type of care.’ That wasn’t where they were going with the conversation.”
The governor continued, “Honestly, I think there is a misconception out there that gender-affirming healthcare goes directly to surgery. It simply doesn’t.”
Next, the governor voiced concern about thorough data collection.
He claimed that there is currently no complete data available about the people who receive this care, nor is there an impartial analysis of such data. As a result, “I’m directing our agencies to report this data to the public and the general assembly every six months in addition to requiring reporting from the appropriate agencies.”
Lastly, DeWine addressed issues with “pop-up clinics” offering gender-affirming care for transgender youth and enacting a law to outlaw “fly-by-night operations.”
There are no such facilities in the state of Ohio, according to The Buckeye Flame.
In order to “get these protections adopted through an administrative and legislative process,” DeWine stated that he “hopes to collaborate and find common ground” on the presented administrative rules.
The veto has been hailed as a major victory by LGBTQ+ organizations across the state, but some advocates, advocates, and non-profit organizations continue to criticize the restrictions and limitations the rules may impose on transgender Ohioans and healthcare professionals.
The bill also “cast a dark shadow over the rights and safety of transgender youth and their families in Ohio,” according to organizers of TransOhio, Ohio’s only statewide trans-led advocacy organization. The group claimed that DeWine’s regulations would also put transgender children at risk.
According to TransOhio head James Knapp, “House Bill 68 is a terrible blow to the trans community in Ohio, especially our children.” “Trans children are not a problem that requires solving. We cannot stand idly by as their basic rights and care are taken away. We urgently call on the public and other organizations to join us in this critical fight, as TransOhio is committed to helping those affected by this dangerous legislation.”
Had the veto been overridden by the government?
The Ohio Constitution states that in order to override the governor’s veto, a three-fifths (60%) vote of the House and Senate members is required. Republicans currently control the House with a 67% majority and the Senate with an 88% majority.
It is not unusual to override a governor’s veto; in fact, it happened recently in the Ohio House.
A plan that would have prevented cities from enacting stricter tobacco laws than those of the state was overridden by the House on December 13 by a vote of 60 to 31. The veto action will then be decided by the Senate, which has an even larger majority of Republicans.
At the lecture, DeWine discussed the possibility of overriding his HB 68 veto and expressed his hope that the legislature would approve his three operational proposals.
“These three ideas go further than Rep. Click’s bill in a number of cases,” according to DeWine.
If The Buckeye Flame receives a comment, this article will be updated.
Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) suggested action at the first session in January and stated on social media that house Republicans “have the necessary votes to override in the House.”
Speaking up pays off!
Governor DeWine’s veto was swiftly met with actions.
During the briefing, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued a statement stating that the people of Ohio do not want “the government involved in their personal, private healthcare decisions” and praising Governor DeWine’s veto of legislation that “would have taken away the rights of parents.” She also acknowledged that there would be more challenges in the future.
According to Antonio, “The fight for LGBTQ+ equal rights will continue until everyone has the freedom to live their true lives without interference from the government.”
The dozens of Ohioans who called, emailed, testified, and rallied against the bill were thanked by Equality Ohio, which also praised the “victory.”
According to Siobhan Boyd-Nelson, interim executive director of Equality Ohio, “Ohio is our home, and your voices have been heard loud and clear.” “Together, we have preserved parents’ ability to choose their own private healthcare for their children and made sure that educators and medical professionals can help children without unnecessary interference.”
The veto was addressed by members of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, which is made up of each of Ohio’s five major children’s hospitals, in a written statement:
“We are grateful for Governor DeWine’s thoughtfulness in thoroughly investigating the gender-affirming care issue and vetoing Sub HB 68 today.” “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the governor, the Ohio General Assembly, and relevant state agencies to address concerns raised by HB 68 and ensure that Ohio’s youth have access to the vital care they require.”
DeWine’s voice was often full during the 10-day period when he was considering his veto decision, which was a reflection of the significant number of responses to HB 68 that LGBTQ+ organizations praised for aiding in his decision.
Following the veto announcement, the Human Rights Campaign posted on its Facebook site on Friday, “This is a big win for the families of transgender youth in Ohio.” “Speaking up pays off. Thank you to everyone who called and emailed Gov. DeWine in support of Ohio’s trans children!”
The Buckeye Flame, a website dedicated to enhancing the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and political independence through the creation of compelling content that chronicles their victories, struggles, and everyday experiences, is where this article was first published. Visit thebuckeyeflame.com for more LGBTQ+ news.
