The Republican governor of Ohio rejected a bill on Friday that aimed to prohibit transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming medical care and participating in sports at the middle and high school level. This issue of how transgender individuals are treated continues to be a controversial topic in cultural debates surrounding education and health care rights.

Gov. Mike DeWine said during a
press conference in Columbus that his veto of House Bill 68, called the “SAFE Act,” was about “protecting human life.” He cited the testimonials of many families who said gender-affirming treatment saved their child’s life and defended parents’ rights to choose what’s best for their child.

If I were to approve House Bill 68, or if it were to pass as a law, Ohio would essentially be stating that the government knows what is best for a child’s medical needs, rather than the child’s two primary caregivers – their parents. Governor DeWine expressed that these are emotionally difficult choices that should be left to the parents, with input from a team of medical professionals.

DeWine mentioned that he had discussions with doctors, legislators, and families from all perspectives prior to coming to a conclusion. He also stated his intention to implement restrictions on gender-affirming surgeries for minors and combat clinics with ideological agendas that may try to sway patients’ choices.

According to DeWine, these are parents who have witnessed their children endure prolonged suffering and have genuine worries that their children would not be able to survive without it. He also noted that families are making their choices based on the most reliable medical guidance available.

The Ohio legislature can override the veto with a three-fifths vote. The bill was approved with larger majorities in both chambers of the state legislature earlier this month.

Republican elected officials and activists in Ohio criticized the governor’s veto and called on the legislature to override it. The state’s Republican senator, J.D. Vance

The individual shared on a social media platform that they believed DeWine’s statements regarding parental rights were merely a catchphrase and not a valid reasoning. They also expressed their disappointment in the governor’s choice and hoped for it to be reversed.

Frank LaRose, the secretary of state of Ohio and a candidate for Senate in 2024, stated that it is our responsibility to ensure the safety and fairness of competition for female athletes and to shield children from undergoing irreversible medical procedures before the age of 18.

Several individuals are using this as a chance to question the credibility of the moderate governor as a Republican. Jim Renacci, a former Republican congressman who ran against DeWine for governor in 2022, stated that “DeWine is not truly a Republican” and criticized his signing of HB 68, which he deemed to be a straightforward bill for a Republican governor to support.

DeWine is among a small group of Republican governors who have rejected extensive bills attempting to prevent transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming medical treatment, such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers, and restrict the involvement of transgender individuals in K-12 and college-level sports. Many states governed by Republicans have approved laws that greatly limit, or even prohibit, access to gender-affirming care, stating that these measures are essential to safeguard children from “gender ideology” and uphold progress made for girls and women in sports over recent years.

Several Republican governors, including Spencer Cox of Utah, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, and Doug Burgum of North Dakota, vetoed bills in 2022. However, in 2023, they signed revised versions of those bills that banned gender-affirming care and limited the participation of transgender girls and women in school sports.