Despite Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto, a state law prohibiting gender transition treatment for minors and preventing trans athletes from participating in girls’ sports will go into effect. The Ohio Senate overrode that veto by voting along party lines, enacting the law this spring.
As the House did earlier this month, Republicans in the Senate’s supermajority defeated Democrats by a vote of 23 to 9. DeWine vetoed the bill in late December, claiming that he had spoken with families about the decision to proceed with gender-affirming treatment for adolescents and that these were “gut-wrenching decisions that should be made by parents” and informed by doctors and medical professionals.
As the discussion was about to begin, an activist interrupted it and was removed from the Senate room.
Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) stated after the session ended that “It is not possible for a man to become a woman or for a woman to become a man.”
“No such thing as gender-affirming treatment exists. Something that doesn’t exist cannot be confirmed,” Roegner continued. “These individuals do experience gender dysphoria, which is true. However, they should be aware that their uniqueness is loved. They require empathy.”
Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toronto) 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 personal autonomy and chooses how they want to be perceived in this world.” “What we are doing right now is seriously harming a smaller portion of the state of Ohio.”
Republicans, including Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester), claimed that allowing trans athletes to participate in girls’ sports would jeopardize the safety of women and decades of progress. He continued by saying that “if just one female athlete doesn’t join a team, take home medals, or receive scholarships because another trans athlete did, 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 doesn’t mean I should deny them the right to exist just because I’m not sure what that means.
“In order to make the best decisions for their children, we are not only overriding the governor’s veto but also their will,” according to Antonio.
Sen. Steve Huffman, a physician from Tipp City, said, “We’re certainly not outlawing all transgender in the state of Ohio.” “We’re just asking them to hold off until you turn 18 and have the freedom to make a choice.”
Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) said, citing the laws on smoking, alcohol, work, and driving, “We tell parents what to do all the time.” “This isn’t any different,” he said.
The bill was referred to as “anti-science and very hateful” by Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus).
“The first action we take when we return to this chamber is to bully trans individuals because this year has been the least effective for legislation since 1955,” he continued.
The law will go into effect in 90 days because there is no emergency section. 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 to do the same for gender-affirming care for minors.
