The ban on gender-affirming health care for youth under 18 in Ohio has been upheld by a county judge, allowing the law to go into effect. The law prohibits transgender surgeries and hormone therapies for minors, with exceptions only for those who are already receiving such treatments and stopping would pose a risk. It also includes restrictions on the type of mental health services minors can receive. The ACLU of Ohio plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the law denies transgender youth access to critical health care and violates the state’s single-subject rule for bills. State lawmakers enacted the law in January, overriding a veto by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
The groups challenging the law have voiced concerns about the denial of essential health care for transgender youth and the discriminatory nature of the bans. ACLU of Ohio Legal Director Freda Levenson described the ruling as devastating for transgender youth and their families who rely on these life-saving treatments. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office defended the law as a measure to protect children from making irreversible medical decisions about their bodies, emphasizing the legislature’s authority to pass such laws. Governor DeWine had previously vetoed the law but was overridden, making Ohio the 23rd state to prohibit gender-affirming health care for trans youth.
Governor DeWine initially took steps to regulate gender-affirming treatments administratively and to ban transgender surgeries for those under 18, citing concerns about proper treatment for gender dysphoria and the associated suicide risks. However, the administration faced backlash from transgender adults over the potential impact of state regulations on their lives and health. As a result, the plan was abandoned, and Ohio lawmakers continued to support the ban on gender-affirming health care despite DeWine’s veto. The ruling by Franklin County Judge Michael Holbrook reflects a balance between parental rights and the state’s interest in regulating medical practices and treatments.
The ACLU of Ohio plans to appeal the judge’s ruling, continuing to advocate for the rights of transgender youth to access essential health care. The legal battle highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gender-affirming treatments and the rights of minors to make decisions about their own medical care. The decision to uphold the ban on transgender surgeries and hormone therapies for minors has sparked a broader conversation about LGBTQ rights and protections, with implications for the treatment of gender dysphoria and the well-being of transgender youth in Ohio. It remains to be seen how the appeal process will unfold and what impact the law will have on the transgender community in the state.
