Ohio’s gender care ban

On Wednesday Ohio’s state senate passed a bill which bans gender-affirming care and prevents trans women from competing in women’s sports in high school and college. The bill specifically bans gender reassignment surgery, hormone replacement therapy, and puberty blockers being prescribed to minors, although it will allow children already receiving medication to continue. Despite scientific evidence that gender-affirming care is beneficial to children’s mental health, the bill’s sponsors argued that denying children access to these interventions would protect them from manipulation by physicians. Before the final vote, members heard from physicians and advocates, including Nick Lashutka, the CEO of Ohio’s Children’s Hospital, who testified that Ohio already doesn’t perform gender reassignment surgery on minors, and that 65 per cent of under 18’s who are seen for gender-related care are not prescribed medication.