Ohio governor vetoes ban on minors’ access to gender-affirming care

Dec 29, 2023

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

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In a significant move, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed legislation on Friday, Dec. 29, that aimed to bar transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming care and participating in girls’ sports. Gov. DeWine cited concerns over potential harm to families as the primary driver behind his decision.

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During a news conference, he stressed that signing H.B. 68 into law would imply that the state and government know better than parents regarding what is medically best for a child.

“Ohio would be saying that the government knows better what is medically best for a child than the two people who love that child the most: the parents,” DeWine said.

While the bill faces a potential legislative override, given the Republican majority in the state Legislature, the timing and likelihood of such a move remain uncertain.

Gov. DeWine emphasized that he considered perspectives from both sides of the political spectrum, acknowledging the sincere beliefs of those advocating for child protection.

The governor noted the profound consequences the bill could have on a small number of Ohio children facing gender dysphoria and their families.

“This bill would impact a very small number of Ohio children, but for those children who face gender dysphoria and for their families, the consequences could not be more profound. Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life,” DeWine said.

The vetoed bill adds complexity to the ongoing national debate on transgender rights, as at least 20 states have already implemented bans on transgender athletes in K-12 and collegiate sports, with many facing legal challenges against such restrictions.

Tags: Mike DeWine, Ohio, Transgender, Transgender athletes

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

BREAKING PARTY LINES — OHIO’S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE VETOED LEGISLATION FRIDAY THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER MINORS FROM ACCESSING GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE AND PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS SPORTS.

DURING FRIDAY’S NEWS CONFERENCE, DEWINE STATED HIS DECISION WAS FOCUSED ON HOW THE LEGISLATION WOULD AFFECT FAMILIES WHO COULD BE HARMED BY SUCH LEGISLATION.

GOV. MIKE DEWINE | (R) OHIO

Were I to sign House Bill 68, were House Bill 68 to become law, Ohio would be saying that the state, that the government, knows better what is medically best for a child than the two people who love that child the most: the parents.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

HOWEVER – THE BILL COULD STILL BECOME LAW. REPUBLICANS HOLD ENOUGH SEATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR’S VETO, BUT IT’S UNKNOWN IF OR WHEN THEY MIGHT ATTEMPT SUCH A MOVE.

DEWINE SAID HE CONSIDERED VIEWPOINTS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE LEGISLATION, EMPHASIZING THE SINCERE BELIEF OF EACH SIDE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN.

GOV. MIKE DEWINE | (R) OHIO

This bill would impact a very small number of Ohio children, but for those children who face gender dysphoria and for their families, the consequences of this bill could not be more profound. Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life. Many parents have told me that their child would not have survived, would be dead today if they had not received the treatment they received from one of Ohio’s children’s hospitals.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

AT LEAST 20 STATES HAVE IMPLEMENTED BANS PREVENTING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM PARTICIPATING IN K-12 AND COLLEGIATE SPORTS TEAMS. MANY OF THESE STATES ARE CURRENTLY FACING LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST SUCH RESTRICTIONS.