Ohio

Ohio law banning gender-affirming care and trans athletes heads to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk – Ohio Capital Journal

Published

11 months ago

December 14, 2023

Ohio law banning gender-affirming care and trans athletes heads to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk – Ohio Capital Journal

A bill that would block doctors from providing gender-affirming care to trans youth and prevent trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports is going to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk.

The Ohio Senate passed House Bill 68 in a 24-8 vote Wednesday afternoon and the Ohio House concurred with the Senate amendments in a 61-27 vote Wednesday night. DeWine now has 10 business days to sign or veto the bill.

“We await a final bill to review before offering formal comment,” DeWine’s press secretary Dan Tierney said in an email Wednesday afternoon.

State Senator Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, was the lone Republican who joined Senate Democrats in voting against the bill.

HB 68, introduced by Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, would block doctors from providing gender-affirming care to trans youth, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

The bill would ban physicians from performing gender reassignment surgery on a minor, but many opponents have testified that no Ohio children’s hospital currently performs gender-affirming surgery on those under 18. An amendment was added to HB 68 Wednesday that added a grandfather clause that would allow doctors who already started treatment on patients to continue.

Gender-affirming care is supported by every major medical organization in the United States. Children’s hospitals across Ohio, the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians all oppose HB 68.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said she hopes DeWine will listen to the medical professionals who oppose the bill.

“The bill is so cruel on so many levels but at the end of the day this violates parents rights to make decisions about their children’s own healthcare,” she said. “It’s putting the government in the middle of families and their healthcare providers.”

Twenty-two other states have passed a law that blocks gender affirming care, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Gender-affirming surgery for minors is not common with less than 3,700 performed in the U.S. on patients ages 12 to 18 from 2016 through 2019, according to a study published in August in JAMA Network Open. It’s unclear how many of those patients were 18 when they underwent those surgeries.

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, said the bill empowers parents.

“The important part is protecting children and making sure parents know what’s going on,” he said.

State Senator Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, called HB 68 a disgusting piece of legislation.

“Current hospital policies ensure gender-affirming care for minors who seek it is safe, medically necessary, and appropriate,” DeMora said in a statement. “It’s clear that this bill is targeting youth already at an increased risk of suicide and violence, and subjecting them to even more risk.”

He took a moment to speak directly to transgender people during the Senate session.

“Your life has meaning and purpose,” DeMora said. “You are seen, valued and loved.”

Trans athlete ban

House Bill 6 — which prevents trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports — was rolled into HB 68 back in June. The would prevent males from playing female sports, but everyone would still be able to play on co-ed teams.

There were only six transgender high school female student athletes in Ohio, the Capital Journal previously reported in the spring.

If a trans girl wants to play on a team with cis girls in Ohio, she must go through hormone treatments for at least one year or show no physical or physiological advantages, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Twenty-three states have passed similar laws in regards to transgender athletes since 2020, according to ESPN.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DECEMBER 13: An advocate for the trans community protests outside the Senate Chamber while inside lawmakers debated and passed HB 68 that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and bars transgender kids from participating on sports teams, December 13, 2023, at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal)

“It is two bills, so much for single subject,” Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio, D-Lakewood, said.

She sent a letter to Senators urging them not to pass the bill on Monday.

“This bill strips rights away from parents and bans children’s access to evidence-based healthcare,” Antonio said in a statement after the bill passed the Senate. “Physicians need to be able to have comprehensive care discussions with patients and their families, but this bill puts them in an impossible position.

Hundreds of people submitted opponent testimony against the bill last week during a marathon Senate Government Oversight Committee meeting.

“We don’t make laws just for the hundreds of people that come and testify,” Senate President Matt Huffman said when asked about this. “We make laws for over 11 million people.”

Opponents speaks out and protest

LGBTQ+ advocates who oppose HB 68 had a press conference Wednesday morning to speak out against HB 68 — arguing families shouldn’t have to decide whether it’s safe to stay in Ohio.

“Ohio is home and I will not be legislated to leave,” said Densil Porteous, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DECEMBER 13: Advocates for the trans community protest outside the Senate Chamber and repeatedly shouted “shame” when they heard that lawmakers had passed HB 68 that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and bars transgender kids from participating on sports teams, December 13, 2023, at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal)

This bill will make it more challenging for trans and non-binary people, said Dara Adkison, a member of TransOhio.

“HB 68 will cause people to leave Ohio and no one should be forced from their home for any reason, but especially not because of extreme laws undermining their freedom and safety,” Adkison said.

Mallory Golski, the civic engagement & advocacy manager for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, spoke in place of a high school student who couldn’t attend the event because they had school tests to take.

“The people who this bill targets are teenagers,” Golski said. “They are young people who shouldn’t have to make a decision about whether they should show up to school or show up to the statehouse to convince lawmakers of their inherent dignity.”

She knows many transgender kids who are happier when they receive gender affirmation or care.

“Taking that away from trans minors would be a determinant,” Golski said.

Evangelical Lutheran Deacon Nick Bates and father of a 13-year-old nonbinary child said bills like HB 68 force trans children and adults back into hiding.

“Sadly, HB 68 and other bills targeting trans and non-conforming youth take this peace, comfort and joy up the chimney like the Grinch stealing the Christmas tree,” Bates said.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Twitter.

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Ohio

Who should be College GameDay’s guest picker for Ohio State vs. Indiana football? Here are options

Published

2 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Who should be College GameDay’s guest picker for Ohio State vs. Indiana football? Here are options

COLUMBUS — ESPN is sending College GameDay to Columbus for Saturday’s battle between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Indiana.

Making the trip to a matchup between two of the best teams in the college football was likely an easy decision for College GameDay.

Now, a tougher choice awaits. Who will be the celebrity guest picker?

ESPN has a variety of routes it can take.

It could pursue a former Ohio State player now in the NFL.

Justin Fields, a backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers whose team plays on Thursday in Cleveland, is an option. Wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, who are both on a bye, could also be available.

ESPN could pursue a non-athlete with connections to OSU.

That brings Columbus natives such as Olympic gymnast Simone Biles or restaurateur Guy Fieri into the conversation.

We asked Subtext subscribers on the cleveland.com Ohio State channel who they’d like to see as the guest picker. Here are some options they presented.

Former Ohio State football players

Justin Fields

Fields spent two seasons (2019-2020) as Ohio State’s starting quarterback. He went 20-2 with 5,373 passing yards.

Jim Tressel

Tressel spent 10 seasons as Ohio State’s coach, highlighted by the 2002 campaign in which he led the Buckeyes to a national championship.

A.J. Hawk

Hawk is a former Ohio State linebacker (2002-2005). He has a connection to ESPN as a co-host on the Pat McAfee Show. McAfee is among the panelists on College GameDay.

Garrett Wilson and/or Chris Olave

Wilson played for the Buckeyes (2019-2021) before he was taken by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jets are off this week.

The Saints, Olave’s team, are also off — giving ESPN and option to bring both on the show. In a 2020 win against Indiana, Olave and Wilson combined for 270 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave played together at Ohio State before pursuing the NFL.AP

Archie Griffin

The Buckeyes celebrated the 50th anniversary of Griffin’s first Heisman by unveiling a statue outside of Ohio Stadium in August. He’s the only two-time Heisman winner.

Cris Carter

OSU receiver Jeremiah Smith has spent all season breaking Carter’s freshman receiving records. The former Buckeye also spent time working at ESPN on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown.

Cam Heyward

Like Fields, Heyward is a former Buckeye now with the Steelers. Pittsburgh plays at Cleveland on Thursday, giving Heyward an uncommon Saturday off in November.

Orlando Pace

Pace was a two-time unanimous All-American during his time at Ohio State (1994-1996). The former offensive tackle was a Heisman finalist in 1996.

Braxton Miller

Miller, a former Ohio State quarterback (2011-2015), was twice named the Big Ten’s most valuable player.

Cardale Jones

Jones was the third-string quarterback for Ohio State entering the 2014 season with Miller as the starter. However, injuries to Miller and J.T. Barrett forced Jones into the starting role. He helped lead the Buckeyes to a national title.

Carddale Jones — Cardale Jones helped lead Ohio State football to a national title in 2014.AP

Craig Krenzel

Krenzel was the starting quarterback for Ohio State’s 2002 national championship team.

Maurice Clarett

Clarett was also part of the Ohio State team in 2002, delivering one of the best freshman seasons in program history. The running back has been a fixture around the Buckeyes this season.

Celebrities with connections to Ohio or Ohio State

JD Vance

Vance was elected earlier this month to serve as the next Vice President alongside Donald Trump. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State.

Simone Biles

Biles has collected seven Olympic gold medals in her decorated career. Her football fandom is evident too as she’s married to Bears safety Jonathan Owens.

MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, July 7, 2019 — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio.cleveland.com

Guy Fieri

Fieri is a famous restaurateur known for his shows on Food Network. He was born in Columbus in 1968.

Jason Day

Day, a professional golfer, won the PGA Championship in 2015. He was born in Australia but lives in Westerville, Ohio.

Bryce Harper

Harper, a star for the Philadelphia Phillies, is from Nevada and didn’t attend Ohio State. However, his wife played soccer for the Buckeyes.

J.K. Simmons

Simmons spent much of his childhood living in Worthington, Ohio. The actor is known for his role in various films, including, “Whiplash” which earned him an Oscar in 2014.—

R.L. Stine

Stines is the writer of the novel series, “Goosebumps.” He was born in Columbus and attended Ohio State.

Greg Oden

Oden is a native of Indiana who attended Ohio State before becoming the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Buster Douglas

Douglas is a decorated former heavyweight boxer. He was born in Columbus.

Matt Rife

Rife is a comedian and actor who was born in North Lewisburg, Ohio.

Graham Rahal and/or Bobby Rahal

The Rahal name is famous around racing. Graham Rahal was born in Columbus and is an Ohio State fan. His father, Bobby Rahal, is a former Indy 500 champion (1986) who was born in Medina, Ohio.

Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots, which features Columbus natives Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, once stopped a concert in 2021 to watch an Ohio State game.

John Legend

Legend, a singer and songwriter, was born in Springfield, Ohio.

Jack Nicklaus

Former professional golfer Jack Nicklaus attended Ohio State. His 18 major championships are most all-time.

Gene Smith

Smith serves as Ohio State’s athletic director for 19 years before retiring in June.

Patricia Heaton

Heaton attended Ohio State and was born in Bay Village, Ohio. She’s an Emmy-winning actress who appeared in shows such as, “Everybody Loves Raymond” and, “The Middle.”

Jake Paul

Paul, a YouTuber and boxer who recently beat Mike Tyson, is a Cleveland native.

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Ohio

House explosion in southwest Ohio kills 2 people

Published

10 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

House explosion in southwest Ohio kills 2 people

BETHEL, Ohio — Two people were killed and another person was injured in a house explosion Tuesday in southwest Ohio.

The explosion occurred just before 9 a.m. The power of the blast scattered debris throughout the neighborhood, reports say.

Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper tells WLWT Channel 5 that a man and woman died in the blast. An injured male, whom witnesses say was a heating repair worker, was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with burn injuries, WLWT reports.

The home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, WCPO Channel 9 reports. The man and woman who lived in the home reportedly had several cats and at least two survived the blast, WCPO reports.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal will lead the investigation into the blast. Bethel is a village in Tate Township in southwestern Ohio.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

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Ohio

2 dead, 1 injured after house explodes in Ohio

Published

17 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

2 dead, 1 injured after house explodes in Ohio

Two people are dead and one person is injured after a house exploded and caught on fire in Ohio.

The house, located in Bethel, about 40 miles east of downtown Cincinnati, exploded around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper told the outlet reports of the explosion had come in while crews were approaching the area.

Once there, they found debris from the explosion and the house on fire. Officials confirmed that two people died as a result of the incident. Another person has been taken to a local hospital with burn injuries.

Cooper also said that crews are currently working on finding the source of the explosion, with neighboring homes suffering minor damages.

Photos show the explosion aftermath

Photos from the site show the smoldering remains of the house following the explosion with some of the house’s belongings being strewn across the area.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

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