DeWine signs limited order on transgender surgeries for minors as Ohio Republicans advocate for comprehensive safeguards
Governor Mike DeWine Takes Action to Ban Transgender Surgeries on Children
In a surprising turn of events, Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) has signed a limited executive order that prohibits transgender surgeries on children. This comes just one week after he vetoed a bill that aimed to ban all transgender procedures on minors.
The executive order comes as Republicans in the state are pushing to override DeWine’s veto of the “Saving Adolescents from Experimentation” Act (HB 68). This bill sought to protect children from transgender surgeries, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones, which can have significant and potentially harmful effects on fertility, bone development, and heart health.
“There’s a broad, broad consensus against surgeries for minors, so let’s put that into a law so we can move on and talk about other things,” DeWine said on Friday, responding to sharp criticism from Republicans like Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and former President Donald Trump.
The state House of Representatives is expected to vote next week to override DeWine’s veto of the bill, which also aimed to keep men out of women’s sports.
DeWine’s Executive Order
In his executive order, DeWine instructed the Ohio Department of Health to develop rules that ban “gender transition surgeries” on minors. The emergency rules, filed on Friday, prohibit health care facilities from performing such surgeries on minors.
The Ohio Department of Health also filed draft rules that establish quality standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities that wish to treat gender-related conditions.
According to the draft rules, “gender transition surgeries” are defined as surgeries that aim to alter or remove healthy physical or anatomical characteristics typical for an individual’s biological sex, in order to create characteristics resembling a different sex.
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State Republican Rep. Gary Click, the primary sponsor of HB 68, expressed his dissatisfaction with DeWine’s order, stating that it is not a substitute for solid legislation.
“While I support his efforts as a temporary measure, I cannot accept them as a substitute for the SAFE Act. His suggestion that we take his measures and place them in a bill for his signature was insulting. He had ample opportunity to participate in the SAFE Act and he vetoed it. There are no mulligans.”
The Ohio House is expected to convene on Wednesday, January 10, to override DeWine’s veto.
What are the arguments for and against Governor DeWine’s executive order on transgender surgeries for minors?
Which take immediate effect, prohibit any medical professional from performing surgeries that alter the physical characteristics of a minor for the purpose of gender transition. This includes procedures such as mastectomies, genital mutilation, and other irreversible surgeries.
DeWine emphasized that the decision to issue the executive order was not taken lightly and was based on the well-being and protection of children. He acknowledged the evolving research and medical opinions surrounding transgender issues, but ultimately concluded that subjecting minors to irreversible surgeries is not in their best interest.
The governor’s move has drawn both praise and criticism from various quarters. Advocates for transgender rights argue that the executive order infringes upon the rights of transgender individuals, particularly minors, to make decisions about their bodies and healthcare. They argue that transgender surgeries can be life-saving and crucial for the mental and emotional well-being of transgender youth.
On the other hand, proponents of the ban argue that allowing minors to undergo irreversible surgeries is a dangerous precedent that goes against established medical ethics. They point to the potential long-term effects and risks associated with these procedures, and stress the need for thorough research and informed consent before such decisions are made.
The controversy surrounding transgender surgeries on minors is not unique to Ohio. Several other states have debated similar legislation, with some successfully implementing restrictions on these procedures, while others have faced legal challenges.
The issue of transgender rights and protections has become a divisive topic in the United States. Supporters of transgender rights argue for the recognition and protection of transgender individuals in all aspects of life, including access to healthcare, education, and employment. Critics, however, argue that there should be limits to how far transgender individuals can go in altering their physical characteristics, particularly when it comes to minors.
As debates over transgender rights and protections continue, it is essential to find a balance between respecting individual autonomy and ensuring the well-being and safety of vulnerable populations, such as minors. Governor DeWine’s executive order is likely to add fuel to this ongoing discussion, with advocates on both sides of the issue preparing to make their voices heard in the coming weeks.
Ultimately, the fate of the “Saving Adolescents from Experimentation” Act and DeWine’s executive order will be determined by the Ohio State Legislature. It remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and what the implications will be for transgender youth in Ohio and beyond.
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