Ohio Senate clears ban on gender-affirming care for minors, transgender athletes in girls sports

Source: Associated Press

Ohio Senate clears ban on gender-affirming care for minors, transgender athletes in girls sports

BY SAMANTHA HENDRICKSON
Updated 5:47 PM EST, December 13, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A Republican-backed proposal that would drastically affect how LGBTQ youth in Ohio live their everyday lives cleared the state Senate on Wednesday, despite adamant opposition from parents, medical providers and education professionals who call it cruel and potentially life threatening.

State senators, by a vote of 24-8 approved a multifaceted bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and block transgender student athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports. A lone Republican, Sen. Nathan Manning of Northeast Ohio, joined Democrats in a “no” vote.

The bill now returns to the GOP-majority state House for amendment agreements before heading to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for final approval. DeWine has not said whether he will sign it. He previously had expressed doubts about the sports restrictions, saying such decisions were best made by individual sports organizations.

DeWine’s spokesperson, Dan Tierney, said the governor’s office would not comment on the legislation until it has thoroughly reviewed it.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/transgender-care-sports-bans-ohio-eb2e7f58426082a64d9d8920d0147a56