The Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, also known as House Bill 68 (HB 68), has undergone a lengthy and convoluted journey from its conception to realization. The primary objective of this legislation was to prohibit transgender surgeries for minors, which is often referred to as “gender-affirming care,” and to prevent boys from participating in girls’ sports in middle and high schools in Ohio.
In December 13, 2023, the Ohio Legislature approved the bill, but it was later vetoed by Governor DeWine on December 29, 2023. However, on January 24, 2024, the Ohio Legislature successfully overrode DeWine’s veto, and the law was expected to be implemented.
On March 26, 2024, the constitutionality of HB 68 was challenged by the ACLU through a lawsuit. Due to this, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Michael Holbrook issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) which prevented the implementation of the law until the lawsuit was resolved in his courtroom. The trial took place on July 15th, and just yesterday, on August 6, 2024, Holbrook lifted the TRO. This signifies that HB 68 will now be enacted as a law in Ohio.
According to Bethany McCorkle, the Communication Director for Ohio Attorney General David Yost, the main focus of this case has been the legislature’s power to pass a law that safeguards children from making permanent medical and surgical choices regarding their bodies. The law doesn’t entirely prohibit these decisions but rather puts them on hold until the child’s growth is complete.
According to Freda Levenson, the Legal Director of Ohio ACU, the recent loss is not only heartbreaking for their clients but also for the transgender youth and their families in the state who depend on this essential and life-saving medical care. Despite the court’s decision being a significant setback, it does not mark the end of their battle to protect the constitutional rights of transgender youth and the bodily autonomy of all Ohioans. Levenson stated that they are taking immediate action and plan to appeal the ruling.
Conflicting conclusions arise when delving into the scientific basis of the issue through research.
According to a report by France 24, Sweden made the decision to discontinue hormone therapy for minors in February 2022, except in exceptional cases. Additionally, the National Board of Health and Welfare stated in December that mastectomies for teenage girls who wish to transition should only take place in a research setting and should be strictly limited.
According to the Advocates for Trans Equality, a Dutch study that involved almost 7,000 transgender individuals found that less than 1% of those who received treatment as adults experienced regret. Furthermore, there were no instances of regret among those who received care before the age of 18.
The Olympic boxing match between Algerian Imane Khalif and Italy’s Angela Carini has sparked a debate about transgender males competing against cisgender women, who were assigned female at birth and identify as women. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on public opinion regarding this issue.
Carini exclaimed, “I have never experienced such a hard punch in my entire life!” She decided to withdraw from her Olympic boxing match after only 46 seconds of being in the ring.
The impact of the punch was felt globally.