Ohio Court Permits Ban on Gender Affirming Care for Minors

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, known as House Bill 68, can remain in effect while legal challenges continue. This decision reverses a March 2025 ruling by the 10th District Court of Appeals, which had deemed the ban unconstitutional. Consequently, the law now prohibits doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, hormones, or performing gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 18, except for those already receiving such treatments. 

Legal Tug-of-War

The legal battle over House Bill 68 has been intense. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Governor Mike DeWine vetoed the bill in December 2023, citing its potential harm to transgender youth. However, the Ohio legislature overrode the veto in January 2024, enacting the law. Subsequently, the ACLU of Ohio, representing two transgender girls, challenged the ban, arguing it violates parental rights and bodily autonomy. Although the appeals court temporarily blocked the ban, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost appealed to the Supreme Court, which granted a stay, allowing the ban to resume. 

Implications for Transgender Youth

For now, the ruling limits access to gender-affirming care, which medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics endorse as critical for transgender minors with gender dysphoria. Critics, including the ACLU, argue the ban discriminates against transgender youth and endangers their mental health. Meanwhile, supporters, like Yost, claim it protects minors from irreversible decisions. 

What’s Next?

As the case awaits a final decision from the Ohio Supreme Court, the debate intensifies. The outcome could set a precedent for similar bans nationwide, especially as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a related Tennessee case. Until then, Ohio’s transgender youth and their families face uncertainty, navigating a complex legal and emotional landscape.