Judge affirms Ohio’s ban on gender-affirming care; civil rights group plans to appeal promptly

A county judge in Ohio has ruled that a law limiting gender-affirming health care for minors can go into effect, sparking immediate plans for an appeal by the ACLU of Ohio. The law prohibits transgender surgeries and hormone therapies for minors unless deemed medically necessary by a doctor, and includes restrictions on mental health services for minors. The law also bans transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The judge upheld the law, citing the state’s interest in regulating medical treatments. Opponents argue that the law denies transgender youth critical health care and violates Ohio’s single-subject rule for bills. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine initially vetoed the law after touring the state and speaking with families of children with gender dysphoria, but lawmakers easily overrode his veto. DeWine had announced plans to regulate and track gender-affirming treatments but faced backlash from transgender adults. The law makes Ohio the 23rd state to ban gender-affirming health care for trans youth.

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