Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors

Ohio’s DeWine Rejects Bill Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill that seeks to bar healthcare providers from offering gender-affirming treatment to transgender minors, stating his belief that such treatment decisions should be left to the families, not the government.

DeWine, a Republican, said his decision to veto House Bill 68, also known as the SAFE Act, stems from listening to healthcare professionals and families during a “fact-finding” mission. The legislation, which passed both chambers of the Ohio Legislature earlier in the month, would have also prohibited transgender student athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.

“By signing House Bill 68, Ohio would essentially be saying that the state and the government know better than parents about what is best for a child,” DeWine announced during his decision.

Acknowledging the passionate arguments on both sides of the issue, DeWine stressed that decisions made by parents of transgender youth are never easy and that ultimately, parents are the best ones to make those calls.

Despite the rejection, DeWine’s stance goes against the position of many of his fellow Republicans both in Ohio and across the country who have sought to pass laws limiting gender-affirming care for minors. Overriding a governor’s veto would require a three-fifths majority in both the Ohio House and Senate, and it remains unclear whether the votes necessary are there to do this.

In conversations with families and healthcare providers, DeWine emphasized that most families are not immediately seeking surgical options but rather hormone treatment. Additionally, DeWine said all parties he consulted agree that gender-affirming care should involve mental health counseling and that no one should be able to seek treatment without counseling first.

Citing conversations with children’s hospitals, DeWine noted that about two-thirds of children opt not to pursue medicinal treatment following consultations. He also stressed the necessity of a process and focus on mental health in gender-affirming care.

Though acknowledging that many of his party colleagues will disagree with his decision, DeWine stated that as the state’s chief executive, “the buck stops with me on this.” He emphasized the need for a methodical approach to the issue and expressed confidence that Ohio can serve as a model for other states in handling the matter.

The Human Rights Campaign commended DeWine’s move, stating, “Ohio families don’t want politicians meddling in decisions that should be between parents, their kids, and their doctors.” They thanked DeWine for “making the right decision for young trans Ohioans.”