Ohio Judge Upholds Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
An Ohio court has upheld a law prohibiting gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth, despite opposition from families and civil rights groups. The ACLU plans to appeal the decision.
In a recent ruling, an Ohio judge has upheld a controversial law prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The decision, made by Judge Michael Holbrook of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, follows a non-jury trial last month and rebuffs a challenge brought forth by families of transgender adolescents.
The law, passed by Ohio's Republican-controlled legislature in January 2024, bans treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender youth. This legislation makes Ohio one of at least 22 states to implement such restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.
Dave Yost, Ohio's Attorney General, expressed approval of the decision through a spokesperson, emphasizing the legislature's authority to protect children from making irreversible medical decisions. Conversely, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its Ohio chapter, representing the plaintiffs, announced their intention to appeal the ruling.
Freda Levenson, Legal Director of the ACLU of Ohio, stated:
The law's passage in January 2024 overrode a veto by Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who had cited testimonies from parents of transgender youth about the life-saving nature of gender-affirming care.
In his ruling, Judge Holbrook argued that the 2011 amendment to Ohio's constitution, which prohibits state laws from restricting healthcare purchases, does not prevent the state from banning what it deems as wrongdoing by healthcare providers. He also cited the state's legitimate interest in passing the law due to the "undeniable risk and permanent outcomes" associated with gender-affirming care.
It's worth noting that gender-affirming care has been a topic of medical and social discussion for decades. The first gender identity clinic in the U.S. opened at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1966, and countries like the Netherlands have been providing such care to minors since the 1980s. The American Medical Association supports access to gender-affirming care, and studies have shown its potential to reduce depression and anxiety in transgender individuals.
As the legal battle continues, this case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender rights and healthcare access in the United States. The decision in Ohio adds to the complex landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, which has seen both progress and setbacks in recent years.
