The 10th District Court of Appeals in Ohio ruled on Tuesday against the state’s prohibition on gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, deeming the ban unconstitutional. The court determined that the law infringed upon parents’ rights to make medical decisions for their children and violated the Health Care Freedom Amendment of the Ohio Constitution.
The contested legislation, enacted in January 2024, barred the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies for individuals under 18. It also restricted participation of transgender women and girls in female sports. Despite Governor Mike DeWine’s veto due to concerns about mental health risks associated with gender dysphoria in minors, the Republican-controlled legislature overrode his decision, making Ohio the 23rd state to implement such a ban.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio, alongside families of transgender adolescents, challenged the law, arguing it discriminated against transgender minors and unlawfully interfered with parental rights. The appeals court concurred, emphasizing that the ban specifically targeted treatments used for gender transitioning, while allowing the same medications for other purposes.
Freda Levenson, Legal Director of ACLU Ohio, hailed the decision, stating, “This win restores the right of trans youth in Ohio to choose vitally important healthcare, with the support of their families and physicians.”
Levenson went on to add, “Although this litigation will likely not end here, we remain fervently committed to preventing this egregious bill from ever again taking effect. The path toward protecting the rights and civil liberties of trans Ohioans goes on, and we will continue to hold the torch.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. announced plans to appeal the ruling, asserting the state’s responsibility to protect minors from irreversible medical procedures. Yost expressed his commitment to continue the legal battle to uphold the original law.
This ruling highlights the growing judicial activism surrounding transgender issues, undermining state efforts to protect children from irreversible medical procedures. While left-wing groups celebrate the decision, conservatives argue that minors lack the maturity to make life-altering medical choices. The legal battle is far from over, as Ohio fights to uphold common-sense protections for children
