Despite Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto, a state law prohibiting trans athletes from participating in girls’ sports and banning gender transition treatment for minors will go into effect. The Ohio Senate overrode that veto, voting along party lines to enact the law this week.
Republicans in the Senate’s supermajority defeated Democrats, voting 24 to 8 to override, as the House did earlier this month. The only Republican to vote against the override was Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville).
In late December, DeWine vetoed the bill, stating that he had discussed with families whether to move forward with gender-affirming care for children and that these were “gut-wrenching choices that should be made by parents” and informed by doctors and medical experts.
As the discussion was about to begin, an activist was removed from the Senate chamber.
Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) declared, “It is not possible for a man to become a woman, and it is impossible for women to turn into men,” after the session had resumed.
“There is no such thing as gender-affirming care. Nothing that doesn’t exist can be affirmed,” Roegner continued. “These individuals do suffer from gender dysphoria, and it is real. However, they should be aware that their uniqueness is loved. They require empathy.”
Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) spoke out against the repeal of what she referred to as “wrong-headed legislation.”
Hudson remarked, “I find it quite unsettling that we stand around and make strong claims while failing to truly comprehend or accept the fact that someone has their own independence and chooses how they want to be perceived in this world. What we’re doing right now is seriously harming a small portion of Ohio.”
Republicans, including Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester), claimed that allowing trans athletes to participate in girls’ sports would jeopardize women’s safety and decades of advancement. He continued by saying that “if just one female athlete doesn’t join a team, take home medals, or receive scholastic awards due to the accomplishments of a trans athlete, that’s one too many.”
Democrats, however, pointed out that Ohio has rules in place and that there aren’t many trans athletes there.
On the floor, Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) remarked that she is a lesbian and has no idea what it’s like to be trans, but that “just because I don’t understand it, does not mean I should deny their right to exist.”
“We are not only overriding the governor’s veto, but also their will,” said Antonio, referring to parents and children making decisions with medical experts.
Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), a physician, said, “We’re not outlawing all trans treatments in the state of Ohio. We’re simply asking them to wait until they turn 18 and are ready to make a decision.”
Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) said, citing laws on smoking, drinking, work, and driving, “We tell parents what to do all the time. This isn’t any different.”
Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) referred to the bill as “anti-science and very hateful.”
“The first action we take when we return to this chamber is to bully transgender individuals because this year has been the least effective for legislation since 1955,” he continued.
The legislation will take effect in 90 days as there is no emergency clause. Ohio becomes the 24th state to forbid trans athletes from participating in girls’ sports as a result of the veto override, and the 23rd state will do the same for gender-affirming care for minors.
