A county judge in Ohio has ruled that a law limiting gender-affirming health care for youth under 18 can go into effect, leading to immediate plans for an appeal by the American Civil Liberties Union. The law bans transgender surgeries and hormone therapies for minors, only allowing exceptions for those already receiving treatments deemed medically necessary to continue. It also restricts the type of mental health services minors can access. State lawmakers enacted the law in January, which also includes a ban on transgender athletes participating in girls’ and women’s sports, after overriding a veto by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
The judge upheld the law, stating that it reasonably limits parents’ rights in order to regulate the medical profession and treatments. Critics argue that the law denies transgender youth necessary health care and discriminates against their access to it. Despite DeWine’s previous veto and efforts to regulate gender-affirming treatments, Ohio lawmakers stood their ground, becoming the 23rd state to ban such care for trans youth. The controversy underscores the ongoing debate over transgender rights and health care access in the state.
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