Ohio Senate Passes Controversial Bans on Gender-Affirming Care and Transgender Athletes

The Ohio Senate has passed legislation that would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender minors and ban transgender student athletes from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The bill, which previously passed the Ohio House, will now undergo a final House vote before potentially being signed into law by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. The proposed legislation has faced criticism from LGBTQ advocates, medical professionals, and families, while Republicans argue that transgender minors are not capable of consenting to gender-affirming care. Similar laws restricting gender-affirming healthcare and transgender participation in sports have been enacted in multiple states across the US.