The Ohio Supreme Court will allow the state’s ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth to remain in place, effectively banning gender-affirming health care for transgender youth while the case is further litigated.
Ohio House Bill (HB) 68 – which took effect in August 2024 – bans transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming health care and bars transgender girls and women from competing in female sports from kindergarten through college. This case is now expected to appear before the high court.
In March, the 10th District Court of Appeals ruled part of the state’s ban on health care for transgender youth unconstitutional. Since then, doctors and other health care providers have continued treating transgender patients under the age of 18.
On April 29, the state’s highest court granted Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s request to pause that decision – reinstating a blanket ban on health care for transgender youth until justices hear the case, including certain types of talk therapy and mental health resources.
First proposed by Christian pastor and conservative Republican Ohio State Rep. Gary Click (R-Fremont) in 2023, HB 68 became law in January 2024 after both chambers of the Ohio House voted to override Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s controversial decision to veto the bill.
In March, civil rights group the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Ohio families raising transgender children whose health care plans have been interrupted by the law.
The ACLU of Ohio opposed the state’s request to allow the law to take effect and asked the Tenth District Court of Appeals’ to keep the order in place.
“It is a terrible shame that the Supreme Court of Ohio is permitting the state to evade compliance with the Ohio Constitution. Our clients have suffered tangible and irreparable harm during the eight months that HB 68 has been in place, including being denied essential health care in their home state,” ACLU legal director Freda Levenson told reporter Morgan Trau with News 5 Cleveland WEWS.
“The Court of Appeals was correct that HB 68 violates at least two separate provisions of the Ohio Constitution,” Levenson added. “We will continue to fight this extreme ban as the case goes ahead before the Supreme Court of Ohio.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio senator, click here.
- If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
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