The state of Ohio has recently passed legislation prohibiting minors from receiving gender-affirming care and limiting the participation of transgender women and girls in sports. This decision has caused concern and confusion for families with transgender children as they navigate how to provide proper care for them.

On Wednesday, the Senate, which is primarily made up of Republicans, voted to reject the veto of Republican Governor Mike DeWine. The recently passed legislation prohibits gender-confirming surgeries and hormone treatments, and limits access to mental health services for transgender individuals under 18 years old. It also prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in girls and women’s sports teams in both K-12 schools and colleges.

The chamber vote of 24-8 to override was primarily divided among party lines, with the exception of Sen. Nathan Manning, a Republican from Cuyahoga County who has consistently diverged from his party’s stance on the matter.

Authorities anticipate the legislation to become effective in approximately 90 days. The House, controlled by Republicans, passed the override of the veto earlier this month.

Kat Scaglione has three children, two of whom are transgender. The Chagrin Falls artist is upset about the new law, which she saw coming. Her 14-year-old daughter, Amity, is currently receiving mental health treatment and taking medication. Under the law’s grandfather clause, Amity can continue to receive her current treatment, but she would not be able to pursue any additional options such as hormone therapy. This means she would have to go to another state to receive further gender-affirming care.

Scaglione and her partner, Matt, are contemplating relocating their family to another state, even though they just purchased a home in a safer school district and community for their transgender daughter, Amity, and her 10-year-old sister, Lexi. They do not feel accepted in Ohio and do not anticipate that changing in the near future.

“We have found some stability and are content with our current situation, but we are always on edge, anticipating any potential changes that may force us to leave,” Scaglione expressed. “It’s challenging to adapt to a new place and attempt to make it our home, while living with the constant fear of having to suddenly relocate.”

On Wednesday, DeWine restated his decision to reject the legislation, much to the disappointment of his party. He explained that his veto was intended to safeguard parents and children from excessive government interference in medical choices. However, in the first week of January, he issued an executive order prohibiting gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 18, despite medical experts asserting that such procedures are not occurring in the state.

He also suggested regulations for not only transgender youth, but also adults, which has faced strong backlash from Democrats and LGBTQ+ supporters who previously had high hopes for his veto.

On the Senate floor, Republican Senator Kristina Roegner from Summit County made a false claim that gender-affirming care and the idea of a gender spectrum do not exist, and referred to this type of care as a waste of time.

The remarks she made caused LGBTQ+ supporters to boo and protest loudly, while being closely monitored by Statehouse security.

A supporter who was singing about Jesus’ love for transgender children was escorted out of the Senate chamber.

More than 20 states have passed legislation that limits or prohibits medical treatments for transgender minors, resulting in numerous legal challenges. Court decisions have been inconsistent, with the initial law in Arkansas being declared unconstitutional by a federal judge due to its infringement on the rights of transgender youth and their families.

The treatment has been accessible in the US for over ten years and is supported by prominent medical organizations.

More than 20 states have passed a law prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in K-12 and college sports teams across the state. However, the Biden administration’s plan to prohibit these bans has faced numerous delays and opposition. The proposed rule would declare that blanket bans violate Title IX, a significant law promoting gender equality that was enacted in 1972.

Democratic Senator Nickie J. Antonio, who represents the Cleveland area, referred to the proposal as “intimidating” and expressed her belief that the Legislature should focus on more pressing matters, such as mental health and substance abuse, instead of targeting transgender youth and infringing on parental rights. She added that advocates may be weary, but they remain determined to push back against this proposal.

“I am hopeful that this will be the final instance during this legislative session where we are attempting to strip away the rights of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community,” stated Antonio, a member of the LBGTQ+ community herself.

Maria Bruno, the public policy director of Equality Ohio, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights across the state, stated that they will be investigating all possible legal and legislative avenues to safeguard the rights of transgender individuals and their families.

“It is truly disappointing to witness partisan politics taking precedence over both logical and fair, as well as compassionate, decisions,” she expressed.

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Samantha Hendrickson is a member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, a program that aims to increase coverage of underreported topics by placing journalists in community newsrooms through a national service organization called Report for America.