- Ohio appellate court permanently blocks ban on gender-affirming care for minors
- 2-1 ruling deems law discriminatory and unconstitutional
- ACLU hails decision as critical win for transgender youth and families
- Governor DeWine's veto overridden by lawmakers in January 2024
- Legal battle expected to escalate to Ohio Supreme Court
In a decisive 2-1 ruling, Ohio's Tenth District Court of Appeals delivered a watershed moment for transgender rights, striking down House Bill 68's prohibition on gender-affirming medical care for minors. The court found the legislation unlawfully targeted transgender youth by banning treatments exclusively used for gender transition while permitting identical therapies for other medical conditions. Judge Carly Edelstein's majority opinion emphasized that Ohio's attempt to legislate medical decisions violated fundamental parental rights and lacked constitutional footing.
The ACLU's successful challenge highlights growing legal consensus against state-level bans, with similar rulings emerging in Arkansas and Alabama. Medical associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics maintain that gender-affirming care follows evidence-based standards, countering political claims about treatment risks. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Gender Clinic director Dr. Sarah Pickle notes: Our multidisciplinary approach prioritizes mental health support and gradual interventions, reflecting national best practices.
Governor Mike DeWine's unprecedented December 2023 veto—later overridden by Republican legislators—revealed political fractures in Ohio's conservative leadership. The governor's fact-finding visits to children's hospitals underscored his concerns about suicide risks in untreated gender dysphoria cases. However, legislative leaders prioritized cultural concerns over medical consensus, aligning Ohio with 22 other states restricting youth gender care.
Legal experts anticipate Attorney General Dave Yost's appeal will test Ohio Supreme Court's interpretation of parental rights doctrine. As litigation continues, healthcare providers report increased demand for gender-affirming services from families seeking care before potential policy reversals. The ruling preserves access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy for approximately 3,000 transgender Ohioans under 18, according to Williams Institute estimates.
This decision arrives amid national debate about state authority over medical practice. Unlike Texas' child abuse investigations or Florida's Medicaid bans, Ohio's case uniquely centers on equal protection arguments. Legal analysts suggest the emphasis on discriminatory enforcement could create persuasive precedent for pending federal challenges. As families navigate evolving regulations, LGBTQ+ advocates emphasize the human impact: This isn't abstract policy—it's about keeping my child alive,shared Columbus parent Jamie Rivera.
