Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a bill passed by both GOP-controlled state legislative chambers that would ban gender-affirming care for children under the age of 18, a move that puts him at odds with a culture war issue Republicans need to stress in 2024 because they have no popular policies on which to run.
According to the Ohio Capital Journal, DeWine announced his decision Friday, saying that he consulted with five children’s hospitals in the state as well as psychologists and families with trans youth. “Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life,” he said adding, “These are gut-wrenching decisions that should be made by parents and should be informed by teams of doctors who are advising them. These are parents who have watched their children suffer for years, and have real concerns their children would not survive without it… Families are basing their decisions on the best medical advice they can get.”