Ohio Legislators Pass Bill Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
Ohio legislators voted to pass a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors. The “Saving Adolescents from Experimentation Act” (Safe Act) prohibits hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and gender reassignment surgery for people under 18. Additionally, it prohibits transgender girls from playing on sports teams designated for women in high school and college.
The bill has sparked significant debate, with proponents arguing that it focuses on the well-being of children, while opponents call it “anti-science” and express concerns about the bill’s impact on transgender youths and their access to necessary treatment.
If signed into law by the governor, the impacts of the bill would ripple across state lines, affecting families of transgender youths who have been traveling to Ohio for gender-affirming care. The bill’s passage represents a trend, with more than 20 states passing similar restrictions in the past two years.
In a tense debate, Sen. Kristina Roegner (R) argued that proponents of the bill were focused on the well-being of children. On the other hand, Sen. Bill DeMora (D) criticized the bill as “anti-science” and expressed disgust at the state’s actions.
The bill now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine (R) for his signature, and Repubicans, who hold a supermajority in the legislature, could likely override any veto. While DeWine previously said he was not taking a position on the measure until it arrived at his desk, his office issued a statement saying they would await a final bill to review before offering formal comment on the matter.
Throughout the legislative process, there have been heated committee hearings and extensive public testimony on the bill, with a majority of those that opposed the ban. However, the bill’s passage marks a significant moment for transgender rights in Ohio, and the impact of the bill on the lives of transgender minors is a topic of concern and debate.