Ohio Senate overrides DeWine veto of gender-affirming care ban

The Ohio Senate voted 23-9 Wednesday to override Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of legislation banning gender-affirming health care for minors and preventing transgender women and girls from competing on female school sports teams (Source: “Ohio lawmakers override DeWine veto of gender-affirming care ban, transgender athlete restrictions,” The Hill, Jan. 24).

Ohio now joins nearly two dozen other GOP-led states that have adopted similar laws after the state House also voted earlier this month to overturn the veto.

DeWine vetoed House Bill 68 on Dec. 29, telling reporters at a press conference that such a measure, if allowed to become law, would do more harm than good.

Gender-affirming health care for transgender minors and adults is considered medically necessary by every major medical organization, though not every trans person chooses to medically transition or has access to care.

An executive order signed Jan. 5 by DeWine prohibits transition-related surgeries for minors, which health care providers in the state have said are already not performed on those younger than 18.