More than 50 persons gathered on the front yard of the Highland Square Library on Wednesday night to support trans people’s rights despite the rain and the cold.
According to Candle, a 17-year-old trans person speaking under an alias out of concern for prejudice, “Trans health treatment is under attack in Ohio.”
The demonstration was organized in advance of the Ohio Senate’s decision to override Gov. House Bill 68, which forbids doctors from prescribing estrogen, puberty blockers, or gender reassignment surgery before people turn 18, was vetoed by Mike DeWine. On Wednesday, the Senate formally decided to bypass DeWine’s veto.
Although critics have indicated they could take the matter to court, the bill is now scheduled to go into effect in 90 days.
DeWine is currently developing his own policies that may make it more challenging for both minors and adults to receive gender-affirming treatment.
Only a few people were present when the march started in the early evening hours, but their numbers rapidly increased.
People sang, chanted, and discussed their experiences as trans community members while using a smaller amplifier and microphone. The group elicited cheers of approval from oncoming customers.
Anntoinette Baker compared the restrictions enacted by the Republican-controlled government to “Socialist Russia.”
Given the president’s limitations, Katherine Jurak, 37, said she was out to help her transgender community, whose younger people she is worried about. She is concerned that they might be forced to de-transition, won’t have access to care, or be required to leave their loved ones behind in order to flee the state. Jurak is concerned for their emotional wellbeing as well.
She said, “I’ve definitely had suicidal thoughts about my anxiety and my journey, and I really worry about their life as well.”
Jurak referred to the day’s activities as a “temporary setback” and urged the younger members of the community who might be feeling discouraged by them.
She said, “We’re around for you.” “The gay community and I overcame AIDS together. Collectively, we have overcome so many challenges.”
Ares Paige claimed that as a trans black man, he recognizes the value of freedom.
“Since our freedom in this nation, African Americans have been fighting for this right,” according to Paige. “And it’s more important than ever that we acknowledge and defend the rights of every person, regardless of their gender identity. People need to understand that transgender people are just like everyone else and that they have the right to live authentic lives free from discrimination, discrimination, and intrusion into their personal lives.”
He claimed that it is everyone’s duty to make sure that everyone is treated with respect and integrity.
The crowd poured into the crossing of Highland Avenue and West Market Street toward the rally’s conclusion after some had left, screaming and briefly diverting customers. The crowd dispersed back to the road when a car from the Akron Police Department arrived in front of the Highland Square Theater with its lamps on.
Only a few people remained on the road in front of the library as the crowd gradually dispersed without incident.
Immediate Results
Candle declared, “We’re out here to stand together as a community, speak out against these unreasonable rules, and show that we are vibrant and together. We aren’t going to just lay down, de-transition, or shut up and stay out of the public eye.”
As long as physicians determine that stopping the prescription may be harmful, Ohioans who are already taking hormones or puberty blockers may proceed under the bill. But, critics contend that this is insufficient to continue the current course of treatment because healthcare professionals might be concerned about the legal repercussions.
Candle is currently receiving gender-affirming care, so they are still permitted to do so as long as their doctors don’t think stopping would be harmful.
Candle remarked, “I don’t know what my doctor’s legal team is thinking at the moment.” “My testosterone dose may not be able to be changed under some interpretations of the bill because the precise prescription is grandfathered in.”
A recognized clinical practice that offers a variety of treatments, including drugs, therapy, and surgery, to support someone’s gender identity will deny Candle friends in the community the care they require.
Candle expressed his disappointment that so many people won’t have the same experience as me. “This is life-saving assistance.” I clung to the hope that I would change 16 and be able to start testosterone because the idea of having it pushed up to 18 without any medical justification do unnecessarily complicate the lives of so many people.
Candle still harbors a glimmer of hope that the transgender community will be able to withstand officials’ behavior and that Ohioans will back them despite the legislature’s inaction.
Candle remarked, “I feel like any average person you could find on the street. They might not know who I am, but I don’t believe they despise me. I believe that there are many good people in Ohio who are open to learning even though they may not fully comprehend the significance of this matter. I do own hope for the future, though.
Derek Kreider, a writer, can be reached at 330 541 9413 or [email protected].
