Ohio’s Republican governor Mike DeWine has vetoed legislation that would have barred transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care, he said Friday. Via CNN:
Signing the bill would “be saying that the state, the government” knows what’s better for youth than their parents, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
State lawmakers passed House Bill 68 just before the holiday break.
The legislation would have prohibited gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary youth, including hormone blockers, hormone replacement therapy, medical or surgical procedures and some mental health services.
The bill also sought to prohibit transgender athletes from taking part in female sports.
The veto comes as other states have passed laws against gender-affirming care for youths. About 20 states have done so, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a LGBTQ+ advocacy group. The group says about 30% of transgender youth between 13 and 17 live in states that have such bans.
