14 of the most memorable quotes from the HB 454 hearing to ban trans youth from accessing medical care

The House Families & Aging Committee held a first hearing today for HB 454, dubbed the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act.

If passed, HB 454 would:

• Prohibit medical professionals from making referrals to individuals under age 18 to any medical doctor for gender transition procedures.
• Prohibit school staff from encouraging or coercing a minor to withhold from the minor’s parent or legal guardian the fact that the minor’s perception of his or her gender is inconsistent with his or her sex.
• Force school staff to share with a minor’s parent or legal guardian information related to the minor’s perception that his or her gender is inconsistent with his or her sex.
• Prohibit any health insurance policy or other plan providing health care coverage in Ohio from providing reimbursement for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18.

We present to you 14 of the most memorable quotes from today’s hearing.

1. “This bill is not about hate. This bill is about kindness, love, and compassion.” -Rep. (and Baptist pastor) Gary Click (R-Vickery), the sponsor of this bill that targets trans youth and denies them access to medical care.

2. “We’re here for science.” -Rep. Click, moments after saying that the “standard” published medical opinions disagree with his position.

3. “‘Would you prefer a living son or a dead daughter?’ This is a standard question presented to concerned parents in an initial meeting with a therapist.” -Rep. Click about a question that is in no way a standard question presented to concerned parents in an initial meeting with a therapist.

4. “The most advised method is ‘watchful waiting.’” -Rep. Click, suddenly establishing a standard in the medical field, which differs from his submitted testimony that said no such thing.

5. “I was asked to carry this bill by parents and by the Center for Christian Virtue.” -Rep. Click responding to a question from Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) about who was behind this bill.

6. “I think this is good for the entire LGBTQ+ community.” -Rep. Click—again, a Baptist pastor—speaking on what would be good for the entire LGBTQ+ community.

7. “This bill does not have religious motivations.” -Rep. Click, a few minutes after testifying that he was asked to carry this bill by the Center for Christian Virtue.

8. “The American College of Pediatricians supports this bill.” -Rep. Click in response to a question from Rep. Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) about whether medical associations support this bill. Rep. Liston quickly highlighted that the American College of Pediatricians is not a mainstream medical association, but is instead a socially conservative advocacy group.

9. “This bill is not about social transitioning,” -Rep. Click, around 40 minutes before directly saying that the school-related portion of the bill forcing school staff to out trans youth to parents was because there are schools that support the social transition of trans youth during school hours.  

10. “I am a former ‘trans’ kid.” -Erin Brewer, a not-Ohio-based activist who travels around the country delivering proponent testimony to deny trans youth their lived experience. Brewer also speaks against the porn industry while simultaneously touting that that she was one of the top 20 most popular amateur porn stars, with over 10.8 million views and more than 400 videos. 

11. “Testosterone would make any woman in here feel like a million bucks.” -Erin Brewer, presented here without comment.

12. “I shudder to think at what my life would be like if I’d been encouraged to believe that I was a boy. I would have lived my life hating myself.” -Erin Brewer, speculating on her perceived horridness of the healthy support she never received.

13. “[The C-word]” -Erin Brewer, actually saying the word that she says she was called once, making perhaps the first time this word was directly said on the House floor. 

14. “I agree with Adele. I love being a woman.” Rep. Marilyn John (R-Shelby), referencing a now discredited uproar over an Adele quote fabricated by right wing media.  🔥

Ignite Action:

• Equality Ohio presents 4 ways you can get your voice heard:
  • Email the Committee and tell them to support transgender youth
  • Call the Committee Chair/Representative Manchester
  • Share your personal story with Equality Ohio
  • Ohio businesses can sign onto a letter opposing this legislation.