On Wednesday, Ohio lawmakers overrode Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto by outlawing gender-affirming child treatment, joining more than 20 states that have imposed similar limitations in recent years. After nearly an hour of discussion, the Ohio House voted to override 65-28 this quarter, followed by the state Senate’s 23-9 vote. Both houses are controlled by Republican supermajorities.
Republicans argued that the act protects children, with state senator Stephen Huffman (R) stating that this isn’t different from advising parents. Liberals, however, argued it violates trans rights. State Sen. Kent Smith (D) commented that the legislation causes great pain instead of providing relief.
The bill, effective in 90 days, restricts mental health care for transgender people under 18 and outlaws gender-affirming procedures and hormone treatments. It also bans transgender women from competing on gender-specific sports teams at schools. The grandfather clause allows current treatments to continue for Ohio residents but doesn’t apply to out-of-state visitors.
State Rep. Gary Click (R), who introduced the legislation, criticized the governor for vetoing it, stating the government has “an obligation to prevent parents from harming their children.”
Advocates for transgender rights criticized the new legislation, with TransOhio stating, “our children deserve better from our elected representatives than violence that targets and harms children.” “Trans Ohioans will not be legislated away.”
Thousands of anti-trans bills have been introduced in state legislatures, many targeting transgender children’s access to gender-affirming care or participation in school sports teams.
Ohio’s Saving Adolescents From Experimentation Act, also known as the SAFE Act, forbids hormone treatment, puberty blockers, and gender-reassignment surgery for those under 18. The Save Women’s Sports Act bans trans women from participating in sports teams. Click intended the bill to address “medical ethics,” not “culture war.”
Major medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics endorse gender-affirming care for transgender children.
DeWine vetoed the bill but later issued an executive order and administrative rules, restricting gender-affirming care, making Ohio one of the most restrictive states for such treatment.
The back-and-forth has left Ohio’s transgender communities in a precarious position, with families considering moving out of state or traveling elsewhere for medical care. Kat Scaglione, who has two transgender children, expressed the strain and uncertainty faced by families. Alicia Burkle, with a trans child, stated they’d have to find ways to get the necessary treatment.
