TOLEDO, Ohio — The controversial gender-affirming health care ban on minors in Ohio is now in full effect. House Bill 68 was first introduced to the House in February 2023.
It passed both the House and Senate before Governor Mike DeWine vetoed it in December 2023.
Then in January, the Ohio House overrode the governor's veto. That meant the law could take effect immediately in April. However, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit in March. This led to a Judge issuing a temporary block in April.
Then on Tuesday, a judge ruled the ban could take effect immediately.
While House Bill 68's sponsor feels this ruling will protect young people, vice president of TransToledo, Nikki Orlowski, said she feels it will do the opposite.
"I'm not a parent but I am a trans person," Olowski said. "But I know how devastating this news is, especially for the trans-youth."
Not only is she able to put herself in the shoes of youth, but also sees first-hand how Ohio House Bill 68 is impacting families.
"We've already heard of about 100 families moving away from Ohio and there's just going to be more," Olowski said. "This puts youth at risk for harm, indirectly from others and from themselves."
The bill now bans gender-affirming care for transgender individuals younger than 18. It also blocks transgender student-athletes from playing girls and women's sports.
State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) sponsored the bill.
"It's been a long and arduous process, but it's been worth it," Click said. "We have to do anything to protect our kids in our state."
Click said this isn't a ban on gender-affirming care altogether, just for minors until they are adults.
"When you have been able to look at all of the ins and outs, when being able to study the science, when your brain has been able to develop and mature, then you can make up your own mind, you can make up your own decisions," Click said.
Orlowski said her organization plans to be there for trans-youth in northwest Ohio during this time.
"I think the community is really upset and we're really trying to comprehend everything," she said.
The legal director for the ACLU said the ban goes against the freedoms they aim to protect and has filed an appeal of the decision.