The largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization in the country, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), criticized two temporary, “emergency” regulations put in place last week as well as a set of proposed regulations released by Gov. DeWine late last week, which unfairly and unnecessarily affect transgender people’s access to healthcare that is medically necessary. Any slight is not allowed to access medical care due to the temporary regulations. Any trans people, regardless of age, who try to access health treatment related to their transition in the state may face harsh new obstacles as a result of the proposed regulations.
The Governor is doing exactly what he said last month politicians should not do: stand between people and the medical professionals who provide their care by enacting fresh, pointless regulations that make it difficult for transgender people of all ages to get the care they deserve, including making it even more difficult to get diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Additionally, the laws may call for difficult reporting standards regarding transition-related care that put patients at risk of having their personal health histories made public. Even when patients and medical professionals agree that care is obviously required, the proposed regulations may cause a government-imposed, pointless bottleneck effect that may delay or prevent care.
When he vetoed HB68, Governor DeWine stated it himself: “People, parents, and physicians should be making healthcare decisions, not officials.” According to HRC President Kelley Robinson, these proposed rules go against those very principles. “Parents should be trusted to take good care of their kids, and specialists to deliver top-notch, life-saving medical care.” The DeWine Administration should repeal these dangerous rules that would obstruct all transgender Ohioans’ healthcare decisions, and the government should leave the filibuster in place.
Following the mayor’s veto of House Bill 68, which would have prohibited trans children from receiving healthcare in Ohio and prevented them from participating in school activities on teams that were consistent with their gender identity, the proposed regulations are being made. This year, the state legislature will likely vote on whether to override the governor’s veto.
The proposed new rules must go through an administrative rulemaking process that includes a public comment period before they can be put into effect. The rules that were adopted last year are only in effect for 120 days.
The largest civil rights organization in America, The Human Rights Campaign, works to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. In the future, LGBTQ+ individuals will be welcomed as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community, according to HRC.
