The Ohio General Assembly passed two bills on Wednesday that would restrict the rights and opportunities of transgender minors in the state. The bills would ban gender-affirming health care and transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports. The bills have sparked outrage and criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, medical professionals, and civil rights groups.
Bills aim to protect children from ‘experimentation’ and ‘unfairness’
The sponsors of the bills claim that they are motivated by the best interests of children and fairness in sports. House Bill 68, also known as the SAFE Act, would prohibit minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or gender reassignment surgery, regardless of parental consent or medical recommendation. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Gary Click, a Republican and Baptist preacher, said the bill is about “medical ethics” and preventing children from making irreversible decisions that they might regret later.
House Bill 8, also known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights, would require teachers to disclose any information about students’ sexual orientation or gender identity to their parents, even if the students fear abuse or rejection. The bill would also ban transgender students from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, based on the assumption that they have an inherent advantage over cisgender athletes. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Adam Bird, a Republican and former teacher, said the bill is about “parental rights” and ensuring a level playing field in sports.
Bills face opposition and legal challenges
The bills have been met with strong opposition from various groups and individuals who argue that they are discriminatory, harmful, and unconstitutional. LGBTQ+ activists, parents of transgender children, and transgender athletes have testified against the bills, sharing their personal stories and experiences. They say the bills would deny transgender youth the right to express their identity, access affirming health care, and participate in sports and other activities that benefit their physical and mental well-being.
Medical professionals, such as pediatricians, endocrinologists, and psychologists, have also spoken out against the bills, citing scientific evidence and clinical guidelines that support gender-affirming care and sports inclusion for transgender youth. They say the bills would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, undermine parental authority, and increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide among transgender youth.
Civil rights groups, such as the ACLU of Ohio, Equality Ohio, and Lambda Legal, have condemned the bills as violations of the equal protection and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution. They have vowed to challenge the bills in court if they are signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who has not indicated his position on the bills. Similar bills in other states, such as Arkansas and Idaho, have been blocked by federal judges on constitutional grounds.
Bills reflect national trend of anti-transgender legislation
The bills passed by the Ohio General Assembly are part of a nationwide wave of anti-transgender legislation that has been introduced or enacted in more than 30 states this year. According to the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ+ advocacy group, 2023 has been the worst year for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in recent history, with more than 250 bills targeting the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender youth.
The bills have been influenced by conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Alliance Defending Freedom, that have promoted model legislation and talking points to oppose transgender rights. The bills have also been fueled by misinformation and stereotypes about transgender people, such as the myths that they are mentally ill, predatory, or confused.
The bills have faced resistance and criticism from various sectors of society, including sports organizations, corporations, celebrities, and religious leaders, who have expressed their support for transgender rights and inclusion. The Biden administration has also taken steps to reverse the anti-transgender policies of the Trump administration and to advance the equality and dignity of transgender people.
