Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Vetoes 'Transgender' Surgery for Minors, Sports Ban

On Friday (12/29/23) Governor Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 68, which would have banned so called "transgender" surgery for minors and banned boys who believe they are girls from playing in female sports. 

The Columbus Dispatch reported that House Bill 68 "would have prevented doctors from prescribing hormones, puberty blockers or gender reassignment surgery before patients turn 18. It also would have prohibited transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams in high school and college."

Governor DeWine stated, “Were I to sign House Bill 68, or were House Bill 68 to become law, Ohio would be saying that the state, that the government knows better what is medically best for a child than the two people who love that child the most: their parents." He fails to recognize that the drugs, hormones, and surgery given to minors at these ages sterilize them for the rest of their lives. It is child abuse to allow or force any child to take hormones or receive this type of surgery. Parents are supposed to protect their children, and if they fail to do so then the government must take action. Governor DeWine fails to recognize this.

Mike DeWine is one of the few Republican Governors to veto bills related to 'transgender' surgery and sports.

House Bill 68 passed the Ohio House of Representatives (62-27) with every Democrat voting against the bill and every Republican voting in favor of the bill. The bill passed the Ohio Senate (24-8); all Democrats voted against the bill along with one Republican (Sen. Nathan H. Manning). 

On January 10, 2024 the Ohio House of Representatives overrode the Governor's veto on House Bill 68. All Republicans voted to override the veto, while all Democrats voted against it (65-28). On January 24, 2024 the Ohio Senate voted to override Governor Mike DeWine's veto on House Bill 68 (24-8). All Democrats voted against overriding the veto, while all Republicans, except one, voted to override the veto. Senator Nathan H. Manning, who originally voted against the bill, voted against overriding DeWine's veto.