In a contentious move that has sparked heated debates and opposition from various quarters, the Ohio Senate has approved a Republican-backed proposal that could significantly impact the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in the state. The multifaceted bill, passed with a vote of 24-8, encompasses provisions that ban gender-affirming care for minors and block transgender student athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports. While the majority of Republican senators supported the bill, one lone Republican, Senator Nathan Manning from Northeast Ohio, joined Democrats in voting against it.
The legislation, now headed to Republican Governor Mike DeWine’s desk for final approval, has raised concerns and drawn criticism from parents, medical providers, education professionals, and LGBTQ+ advocates. Under this bill, minors in Ohio would be prohibited from accessing puberty blockers, hormone therapies, or gender reassignment surgery, denying them the opportunity to align their gender identity with their true selves.
One significant change in the bill is an amendment that allows Ohio residents who are currently receiving gender-affirming care to continue their treatment within the state, eliminating the previous requirement to cease treatment or seek care elsewhere. This development reflects a broader trend seen in over 20 states where similar laws have been enacted or proposed, despite the endorsement of these treatments by major medical associations.
The proposal also mandates public K-12 schools and universities to establish separate teams for male and female sexes, explicitly barring transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. Although numerous states have passed bans on transgender athletes participating in sports teams, President Joe Biden’s administration has proposed a regulation to counter these bans, asserting that they violate Title IX, the landmark federal gender-equity legislation.
Supporters of Ohio’s transgender care measure argue that it is intended to protect children who cannot provide “informed consent” for gender-affirming care and to maintain the integrity and fairness of girls’ and women’s sports. However, opponents, including medical professionals, educators, faith leaders, and parents of transgender children, argue that the legislation is based on fearmongering and lacks a scientific foundation. They contend that it poses significant risks to transgender youth and infringes upon the rights of parents to make informed healthcare decisions for their children.
While Senate President Matt Huffman believes the state should step in to protect children in certain cases, Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, a Toledo Democrat, expressed concerns that the bill would only add to the challenges and traumas faced by transgender youth, rather than offering the protection it claims to provide. The bill’s fate now rests with Governor DeWine, who has not yet indicated whether he will sign it into law.
