Health Care

Ohio governor vetoes transgender care ban

DeWine became the third Republican governor — after Utah’s Spencer Cox and ex-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson — to veto a transgender care ban.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks during a news conference, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Friday vetoed legislation that would have barred both physicians and mental health professionals from treating transgender minors, after what he called in-depth discussions with both supporters of a ban and the parents of children who receive care for gender dysphoria.

“Parents have looked me in the eye and have told me that, but for this treatment, their child would be dead. They told me their child is alive only because of the gender-affirming care that they have received. And youth who have transitioned to a new gender have told me that they are thriving today because of that transition,” DeWine said at a press conference in Columbus.

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