Gov. Mike DeWine talking to reporters in Cleveland on Dec. 18.
Gov. Mike DeWine, pictured here talking to reporters in Cleveland on Dec. 18, and Republican state legislative leaders on Friday sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking for permission to impose the work requirements. Credit: 3News, Cleveland

Last week’s flurry of legislative activity at the Statehouse resulted in the passing of House Bill 68. This bill combines the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act with the Save Women’s Sports Act, resulting in legislation that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth and prevent transgender girls from competing in sports from kindergarten through college.

According to the Ohio Legislature website, the bill was sent to Gov. Mike DeWine’s office on Dec. 18. He has 10 days to approve or reject the bill, parts of which he has previously opposed. On Monday, DeWine told WKYC that “ultimately, I will base my decision on one thing, and that is what I think is in the best interests of the children who would be impacted by this particular law.”

Between April and Dec. 13, state House and Senate committees held several hearings on the bill. Spoken and written testimony from experts and citizens was overwhelmingly negative.

Signal Cleveland asked some local officials for comment. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronanyne said, “Medical decisions should be made by families in consultation with their doctors, not elected leaders. This bill will take away parents’ rights, endanger children, and put physicians in impossible situations.”

Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin said, “Republicans have invented a solution to a problem that does not exist. I support parents and families making the decisions that are in the best interest of their children — and not having government force the beliefs of elected officials on individuals. House Bill 68 represents a reach by the General Assembly into the work of local school boards, and it takes decision-making away from parents, and medical professionals.“

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb did not respond by the time this article was published.

State Sen. Nickie Antonio of Lakewood posted a statement on her website. It reads in part: “Ohio voters have repeatedly told us that they don’t want the government involved in their personal health care decisions. This bill is going to set a dangerous precedent — some parents have rights and some parents don’t.”

Here is a sampling of reactions collected by The Buckeye Flame.

“Every LGBTQ+ child is a child of God who should feel safe, loved and at home in Ohio. This bill does the opposite.” – Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin

“[The bill is] bad for children, for our families, and for our ability to attract and retain talent in our state. We have a choice about who we want to be as a state; HB 68 does not align with our values.” – Equality Ohio

“This bill unnecessarily targets transgender and nonbinary youth, their families and allied providers and health professionals. H.B. 68 politicizes the lives of young people in Ohio with zero regard for their health and wellbeing. It is an egregious misuse of power and a breach of public trust in caring for the youth of Ohio.” – Kaleidoscope Youth Center

“All students should have the opportunity to participate in school sports alongside their peers. This harmful legislation was created specifically to silence LGBTQ+ students, push kids back into the closet, and remove spaces for them to be their authentic selves.” – GLSEN

“Lawmakers in the state should be working to ensure that everyone, no matter who they are or who they love, is able to live free of discrimination and violence. We call on Governor DeWine to listen to the concerns of community members and veto HB68. Ohio is, and should remain, home for Ohioans of all lived experiences.” – Human Rights Campaign

Editor’s Note: Additional reporting from our partners at WKYC.

This article was updated to include the statement from Council President Griffin.

The Buckeye Flame amplifies the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and civic empowerment through the creation of engaging content that chronicles triumphs, struggles, and lived experiences.

Community Journalism Director (she/her)
I look for innovative ways to center news on community interests so more Clevelanders can have positive, direct interactions with journalists. I seek out different opinions, support emerging journalists, and teach community writing and story development so people can tell their own stories, build their own power and make the change they want to see.

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Important stories are hiding everywhere, and my favorite part of journalism has always been the collaboration, working with colleagues to find the patterns in the information we’re constantly gathering. I don’t care whose name appears in the byline; the work is its own reward. As Batman said to Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight,” “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.”