Critics decry Ohio’s proposed ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth

The bill to ban gender-affirming care to trans youths has already passed the state’s house, and it waits for a senate vote and the governor’s signature. Photograph: Hannah Beier/Reuters

Hundreds of transgender advocates and medical experts gathered at the Ohio statehouse on Wednesday to speak out against a proposed ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth.

This week, the Ohio senate government oversight committee discussed a bill from state representative Gary Click, a Republican, who championed legislation that would prohibit doctors from offering gender-affirming care to transgender patients under the age of 18. The bill would also block transgender female student athletes from participating in women’s sports.