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Ohio Gov. DeWine’s Veto Puts Kids, Women’s Sports at Risk

Posted on Saturday, December 30, 2023
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by Shane Harris
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AMAC Exclusive – By Shane Harris

Ohio Gov. DeWine and gender logos

Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine on Friday vetoed legislation aimed at protecting women’s sports and prohibiting dangerous hormone therapy treatments and experimental “gender reassignment” surgery for minors.

In justifying his decision, DeWine resorted to repeating several common talking points advanced by supporters of child gender transitions, including the lie that allowing teenagers to undergo permanent and medically unnecessary life-altering surgeries “saves lives” and the irrational assertion that putting children as young as eight years old on hormone blockers is justified as long as parents sign off on it.

The legislation, Ohio House Bill 68, officially titled the Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, easily passed the Republican-supermajority state legislature just before Christmas.

HB 68 specifically “require[s] schools, state institutions of higher education, and private colleges to designate separate single-sex teams and sports for each sex” and states that doctors cannot “perform gender reassignment surgery on a minor individual” or “prescribe a cross-sex hormone or puberty-blocking drug for a minor individual for the purpose of assisting the minor individual with gender transition.”

The bill also explicitly prohibits Ohio courts from limiting a parent’s right to see his or her child based on that parent’s unwillingness to “affirm” the child’s self-professed transgender identity. In some states like California, legislators have proposed laws requiring courts to punish parents who oppose putting their children on hormone therapies or signing off on transgender surgery.

“Ultimately I believe this is about protecting human life,” DeWine said during a news conference on Friday. “Many parents have told me that their child would not have survived, would be dead today, if they had not received the treatment they received from one of Ohio’s children’s hospitals.”

Here, DeWine is engaging in an emotional blackmail tactic commonly deployed by advocates of minor transgender surgeries. As Jamie Reed, a former employee of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital transgender clinic, revealed in a gut-wrenching exposé for The Free Press earlier this year, confused and scared parents are often told by “medical experts” that if they don’t sign off on experimental treatments that often leave children horrifically disfigured or sterile for life, then their son or daughter might commit suicide. (In reality, data show that more than 80 percent of children who question their gender grow out of it by adulthood.)

DeWine also said that decisions about what surgeries and medical treatments children undergo “should be made by parents and should be informed by teams of doctors who are advising them.”

“Were I to sign House Bill 68, or were House Bill 68 to become law, Ohio would be saying that the state, that the government knows better what is medically best for a child than the two people who love that child the most: the parents,” DeWine continued.

Once again, DeWine is mimicking one of the left’s favorite strategies by weaponizing the logic of the parental rights movement against conservatives and the voices of common sense.

But the assertion DeWine makes is, of course, ridiculous. Along with the fact that parents are being intentionally deceived by transgender clinics that stand to make huge financial gains from “transitioning” as many children as possible, it is absurd to suggest that there should be no limits on what parents can do with their children.

For instance, no sane person would believe that it’s acceptable to allow a young child to drink heavily or smoke cigarettes just because his or her parents believe it won’t harm them. In the same vein, just because a parent believes that beating a child is helpful for his or her development doesn’t mean that the government shouldn’t intervene to protect that child from a clearly dangerous situation.

It’s no different when it comes to the drugs and operations that Republicans in the Ohio legislature are trying protect kids from. There are currently zero long-term studies about the safety of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone treatments for minors, while more than half of all transgender surgeries, in both minors and adults, result in severe complications, many of which require additional surgeries. Perhaps most tragically of all, suicidality in transgender-identifying individuals actually increases after “transitioning.”

As Parker Thayer, a researcher for Capital Research Center, detailed on X, it’s worth noting that one of the primary opponents of HB 68 was the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association – which notably donated $20,000 to DeWine’s re-election effort last year. Ohio’s children’s hospitals are also receiving millions of dollars for experimental transgender surgeries and have a vested financial interest in keeping the surgeries and cross-sex hormones legal for kids.

DeWine has a history of making decisions that earn him the ire of Ohio conservatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DeWine enacted some of the most stringent lockdown policies in the country and kept schools, churches, and businesses closed far longer than states like Florida or South Dakota. He was also a frequent guest on liberal networks like CNN and MSNBC and lauded the performance of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

DeWine also irked conservatives in Ohio and around the country by failing to contribute to the effort earlier this year to defeat Issue 1, a ballot initiative which ultimately passed that effectively enshrines a right to abortion up until the moment of birth in the state’s constitution.

Through his handling of the pandemic and general hesitation to embrace core conservative issues, culminating now with his veto of HB 68, DeWine seems to be following in the footsteps of his predecessor John Kasich, another Republican who repeatedly opposed the party’s conservative base – most notably by becoming one of Donald Trump’s top critics in 2016.

Nonetheless, it should be remembered that Ohio Republicans had the chance to replace DeWine last year and failed to do so. Although two other Republicans ran strong campaigns challenging DeWine from the right in the GOP primary, the anti-DeWine contingent of the party failed to unite around one challenger and DeWine easily cruised to victory with 48 percent of the vote.

Republican leaders in the Ohio legislature have vowed to override DeWine’s veto on HB 68 and enact the bill anyway – although that goal is by no means a sure bet, even with a GOP supermajority.

Regardless, this entire episode is a reminder that even in states controlled by Republicans, the left has not given up the fight, and is still determined to enact their agenda by any means possible. Conservatives must continue to remain vigilant and hold Republican officials accountable when they act as pawns of the radical left.

Shane Harris is a writer and political consultant from Southwest Ohio. You can follow him on Twitter @ShaneHarris513.

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Carla Leonard
Carla Leonard
11 months ago

Thank you, Shane Harris, for exposing Gov. DeWine’s atrocious veto.
Conservative Americans need to be informed of just how bad these ‘so called’ Republican leaders are governing our country.
If Americans knew the facts, instead of the media propaganda, these despicable politicians would not be put in office.
Prayers for the Ohio Legislature’s efforts to overturn the veto, and for your endeavor to report the facts.

Theodore Pruitt
Theodore Pruitt
11 months ago

Rino

Michael Burke
Michael Burke
11 months ago

Nice going Governor DeSwine! Typical Rino, no guts or backbone when it’s really required.

Smike
Smike
11 months ago

Once again, we put forth an enormously complicated multi agenda bill that is bound to go no where. We do the same thing in congress. We send a bill that is to take care of a very important issue and pack it with “other things” remotely related but not. Let’s take the issues one at a time. It would be no more time consuming than submitting a bill that get’s vetoed because it contains “something” that can not be fully supported. Let’s start with sports and move on one issue at a time so we know exactly what he’s against. Work on resolving that issue but move on with the others one at a time. Let’s get “something” done instead of nothing getting done – as usual.

Chris
Chris
11 months ago

Sounds like another governor bought and paid for by Soros and friends.

Rich
Rich
11 months ago

Another sick RINO that is democrat at heart. I wonder how he feels about child trafficking? He obviously needs to go.

Solomon
Solomon
11 months ago

When will real America stand up to these purveyors of fraud and the utter nonsense taking over our lives and this country.

Michael Fredrickson
Michael Fredrickson
11 months ago

Another liberal pretending to be a conservative!

Bob
Bob
11 months ago

The Ohio voters knew better but failed to act based on past disappointments.

Alden L Langert
Alden L Langert
11 months ago

He’s a mentally deranged liberal who needs to be replaced.

Ryans Dad
Ryans Dad
11 months ago

I hope Trump comes out strongly in favor of replacing this idiot!

Russ
Russ
11 months ago

Do you ever see a politician make a decision that is completely contradictory to their party or common sense.(McCains famous thumb down vote comes to mind). This is because they aren’t representing us they have sold out to other interests.

Dennis
Dennis
11 months ago

Kick him out of the Republican party!!!!!

Jeff
Jeff
11 months ago

Great piece, agree with lack of medical data on the long term effects of the experimental use of surgeries and hormone blocking medications. Impressive that the Europeans have halted these medical treatments for this reason . Also, the suicide rate of transitioned patients is an astounding 19%.

BillBoy Baggins
BillBoy Baggins
11 months ago

Actually, there were three candidates running against DeWine. Shane is right, though, primary voters had a chance to select another candidate and failed to do so.
Blame falls squarely on the shoulders of Jim Renacci, Joe Blystone and Ron Hood. The three of them were more interested in themselves than in defeating DeWine. They knew, or should have known, that with 4 people on the ballot against an incumbent governor, none of them stood a chance.
If they had gotten together and united behind one of themselves, the result might have been different.

GMA
GMA
11 months ago

De Wine is a fool..who has been part of the Rino group…not a true conservative.

Jeane
Jeane
11 months ago

The UN contends that the earth cannot support more than 7.8 billion people and we have already exceeded that number so … the next option is sterilization. What better way to do it than to impress upon parents that their child will commit suicide if he/she does not undergo the surgery that will ultimately make that child unable to reproduce any children of their own. The goal – a major reduction in the birth rate. It is secretly intended as a “humane way” to “thin the herd”.

Fredrick
Fredrick
11 months ago

There is no fool like an old fool. DeWine is both too old and a FOOL.
Ohio needs to remove it’s version of Brandon!

J. FARLEY
J. FARLEY
11 months ago

I looked up RINO, and there was DeWine’s picture, not smart, not smart at all!

Philip Seth Hammersley
Philip Seth Hammersley
11 months ago

DeWine has been a RINO as US Senator and OH SoS. Why would we expect anything different now? These fake, “Let the doctors decide” are just cover for woke views. Unlike earlier times, doctors today (some not all) will do ANYTHING to fatten their bank accounts, including abortion and castration!
Evidence form Sweden and Holland shows that people who “transition” are MORE likely to commit suicide than those who don’t. That’s because surgery is only treating the symptoms, not the real ailment!

Cynthia Howe
Cynthia Howe
11 months ago

Ugh!!! I should say something intelligent here but he is obviously too dumb to understand. I hope the people in Ohio fight this.

Steven Alton
Steven Alton
11 months ago

That Man Needs to be removed from office

Jackie
Jackie
11 months ago

Rino’s always show their true color eventually!! But what this governor has done is completely unacceptable! Since you have vetoed the bill that would PROTECT youngsters as young as 8 years old from being part of an adult sex experiment, I would like to know if you have any daughters that you would like to volunteer for these sex change experiments??? Why would you do this?? And protecting the women and girls who participate in sports from transgenders who steal their ribbons, titles, trophies, scholarships, etc. – why would you do this when you KNOW this is unfair to the girls and women who are being forced by people like you to compete against men who identify as women but their bodies are still male??? You obviously don’t have a daughter who would run into any of those kinds of issues or you would have voted differently!!! You are a traitor to the young children who are being indoctrinated to think something other than what’s right and the girls and women who must now continue to lose to transgenders!!!! Shame on you, Governor Mike DeWine!!! God will be your judge but, in the mean time, I and many other Americans are judging you!!! What does your son, the judge have to say about your decision???

Phillip Nagle
Phillip Nagle
11 months ago

Age requirements exist for a reason! Our society has determined that minors to not have the ability to make decisions, including entering in most binding contracts. drinking or even in some areas getting piercings or tattoos. Yet, these radical trans cliques wants them to permanently mutilate their bodies, usually to the extent that they can never produce children or take drugs with long lasting effects that they will never recover from. This is pure insanity!

Kaiju
Kaiju
11 months ago

RINO… in need of being Primaried

Garyk
Garyk
11 months ago

Thank you for the informative article.
This is another example of an out if control politician who think his opinion is the only one that matters.
Mr. Dewhine, understand You work FOR the Citizens of your state, You DO exactly as the majority TELLS you to.
Nobody is interested in your self centered minority approach, DO YOUR JOB

Howard
Howard
11 months ago

Former governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas did the same thing when he was governor. He’s now running for the Republican nomination for president and getting nowhere. Fortunately, Arkansas now has a good strong conservative in Sarah Huckabee Sanders as governor.

anna hubert
anna hubert
11 months ago

This nightmare would be Mengele’s dream What does it say about our medical body not standing up Where are child psychologists, biologists and children’s advocates Is the same insanity going on around the whole world or is it exclusively in the English speaking white skin sphere

CYNTHIA
CYNTHIA
11 months ago

I didn’t like him before and I didn’t vote for this creep

Theresa h
Theresa h
11 months ago

garbage like this is why the government needs to stay in their constitutionally mandated lane and accept the fact that they do NOT have the right to dictate how parents raise their children. government needs to face the fact that they do not get to coparent this country’s children,

Naydene
Naydene
11 months ago

Gov. DeWine should resign, he has no right to tell parents how to raise their children and very disappointed in the other fellow Republicans who allowed this bill ! Shame on all of you. We can only hope none of you are ever elected again.

Mary
Mary
11 months ago

He is a coward
He probably diddles little kids. What kind of mind thinks this is ok ?!? A perverted one that’s who!! This guy has to go now! He’s no republican that I nor millions other want him to represent anyone! What a weak pos!

Chuck
Chuck
11 months ago

Doesn’t a super majority legislature override a veto?

Randall L. Beatty
Randall L. Beatty
11 months ago

This is more Soros money at work to corrupt this country, the Dems use his money to get what they want in this country no matter what they have to do.

CarlS
CarlS
11 months ago

This is exactly what’s meant by draining the swamp, not just in Washington D.C. RINO, RINO, RINO Wake up AMERICA!!!! I’m sorry I forgot liberal democrats and RINO’s don’t read these comments.

Mike
Mike
11 months ago

A fine example of a true RINO!

Robert Zuccaro
Robert Zuccaro
11 months ago

Maybe he used to be a woman and speaks from experience…. could be since he transitioned from a Republican to a full-blown Democrat!

Jeri
Jeri
11 months ago

He was the people’s choice, so deal with it OR do something about it.

Frances
Frances
11 months ago

This article says he took $40K from pro trans hospitals. Regardless of the amount follow the money(bribery). zerohedge.com/political/ohio-governor-who-vetoed-no-sex-changes-children-took-40k-pro-trans-hospitals

Old Papa
Old Papa
11 months ago

Another RINO . Just follow the money. You will know why. Selling his soul to the devil for money.

Mije
Mije
11 months ago

Once a RINO always a RINO!

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