Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine (R) has vetoed a measure that aimed to prevent transgender-identifying minors from receiving gender-affirming care and would have also prohibited gay athletes from competing on sports teams specifically designed for women.
Democratic governors in states where Republicans predominate in the legislature are breaking the pattern with DeWine’s veto by enacting restrictions on transgender rights. Twenty-four states have outlawed transgender women and girls from playing on female sports teams, while twenty-two have barred minors from accessing gender-affirming medications like hormones or puberty blockers.
According to The Associated Press, DeWine stated at a press conference on December 29 that he had listened to both proponents and opponents of the proposed legislation who “really believe their position ideally protects children.”
DeWine announced his veto, saying that only a small percentage of Ohio’s children may be affected by this bill. The effects of this act, however, could not be more severe for those kids who suffer from gender dysphoria.
“Ultimately, I think this is about protecting human lifestyle,” he continued. Many parents have told me that if their child hadn’t received the care they received from one of Ohio’s children’s hospitals, they would not have lived and would still be dead today.
“Now, while there are a few instances in the law where the state overturns the parents’ medical decisions, I can’t think of any instances where this is done, and it goes against not only the parent’s decision but also the medical judgment of the treating physician and medical team of medical experts.
I am unable to sign this bill in its current form as a result.
DeWine added, however, that there were administrative steps that could handle some of the key issues raised by the bill’s proponents, especially the fact that minors are being “medicalized” and hurried into pursuing gender-affirming treatments before they are sure of their identities and without understanding the long-term effects of those actions.
He has therefore ordered state authorities to forbid surgical procedures on children seeking gender-affirming maintenance who are under the age of 18. He pointed out that it is frequently false to believe that just identifying as transgender necessitates surgery, on the part of anti-LGBT critics and even some LGBT advocates. In fact, some transgender people do not have gender confirmation surgery, even as adults.
DeWine expressed concern over what he believes to be a lack of data on the effects of gender-affirming solutions, both for individuals and minors, and ordered state agencies to collect and report on information regarding those who seek out such treatment.
In order to stop “pop-up hospitals or fly-by-night operations” from providing gender-affirming treatments, he said his administration does draft rules and restrictions. DeWine thinks that by doing this, families will be able to get “adequate coaching” and have enough time to think about their options before starting a variety of therapies, including hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers.
A “grandfather section” would have permitted any minor who had already started treatment to continue receiving it if DeWine had signed the legislation into law. However, the law’s opponents had lobbied DeWine, claiming that the ban would harm young people who hadn’t started receiving medical care.
When the bill was being considered by the government, thousands of opponents testified against it. 87 witnesses testified when the Senate debated the act, with the lot voting against it. According to the AP, many of the witnesses in aid had flown in from other states to speak in its favor.
State Rep. Gary Click, the measure’s sponsor, asserted that it is an effort to compel health professionals to follow ethical standards when treating patients with gender dysphoria and to make sure that transgender-identifying kids do not later regret making the gender transition.
While Click, a priest at the Fremont Baptist Temple, has disputed that his act is motivated by his own religious convictions or anti-LGBT antagonism, it appears that the sermon he delivered four years ago, which was made public in June, refutes those assertions.
In that speech, Click argued that same-sex marriage causes the “crumbling” of society, that homosexuality and trans identity are incompatible with God’s plans for humanity, and that efforts to change a person’s LGBT identity can be effective.
Click wants to persuade the other Republicans to supersede DeWine’s veto. Republicans have the support to override a veto if they all vote in unison, but it is unclear whether they will do so or whether DeWine, another Republican, will be able to provide some members with the democratic justification they need to oppose the vote.
“This is not a political issue, at all. Republican Rick Colby, an Ohio resident and the father of a trans child boy, told The Washington Post that “this is an issue that transcends elections.” “Get all the correct people together, including kids and act supporters. Get them all up.” Then hold open discussions.
Kelli Marie, a trans woman from Ohio who opposes the act, met with DeWine
this year. She praised the governor for inviting her home to see him at his Cedarville home so they could discuss the proposed legislation with him.
Marie wrote in a Facebook post, “Allison shared her story as she always does — from the heart.” “I won’t hesitate to share the darkest moments.” Mike and I discussed our concerns, our ignorance, and the process of realizing that this was Allison’s truth.
DeWine’s actions were praised by the LGBT media advocacy group GLAAD.
According to Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, “The governor’s veto shows he listened to people, companies, and all Ohioans who know this act is dangerous and baseless.”
“Trans people deserve to live in integrity and joy, free from discrimination, just like the rest of us.” Trans children should be able to grow up in a place where they can be seen, heard, and supported. This veto is a little demonstration of the belief that all families are valued, that facts matter, and that common sense and compassion if always prevail in Ohio.”
