Ohio’s GOP governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care, transgender athletes in girls sports
Columbus, Ohio — Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday vetoed a measure that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors and the participation of transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports, in a break from members of his party who championed the legislation.
Republican lawmakers have enough seats to override DeWine's veto, but it was not immediately clear if or when they would do so. Both within and between chambers, Republican lawmakers have been out of alignment this year.
Hundreds of opponents testified against Ohio's multifaceted measure as it passed the Legislature, including medical and mental health providers, education professionals, religious leaders, parents of transgender children and transgender individuals themselves.
They described the legislation as cruel, life-threatening to transgender youth and based on fear-mongering rather than science.
The measure, which passed the Legislature earlier this month with only Republican support, would have banned Ohio minors from taking puberty blockers and other hormone therapies or undergoing sex reassignment surgery that would further align them with their gender identity. However, it would allow any minor living in Ohio to continue the treatment they are currently receiving.
DeWine's veto deviates from a national trend toward passing such laws. As of 2021, more than two dozen states have passed laws restricting or banning such treatments, despite them having been available in the United States for more than a decade and long endorsed by major medical associations. Most of these states are facing lawsuits, but courts have issued mixed rulings.
The bill would also require public K-12 schools and colleges to designate separate teams for male and female genders, and would explicitly ban transgender girls and women from participating in sports that align with their gender identity. Supporters argued that banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports maintains the integrity of those sports and ensures fairness.
At least 20 states have passed some version of a statewide ban on transgender athletes playing on K-12 and collegiate sports teams. These bans would be lifted by a regulation proposed by President Joe Biden's administration that will be finalized early next year.