COLUMBUS, Ohio — The trial began Monday for Ohio’s controversial transgender health care and women’s sports law.
The law was supposed to go into effect in April, but the ACLU of Ohio sued, arguing it violates the state constitution. A judge then issued a temporary restraining order on the law.
The law, originally known as House Bill 68, bans gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies for transgender minors. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed the bill, but it was overridden.
The ACLU started their witness with the mother of a transgender 12-year-old. The court is protecting her and her child's identity and refers to the girl as "Grace."
The mother told the court that as a toddler, Grace was drawn to feminine things like wanting to wear a dress. The mother said somewhere between kindergarten and first grade, Grace started to say she was a girl and started wearing feminine clothing.
Her family then started using her new name, and pronouns.
Grace is diagnosed with gender dysphoria, but she has not received any medical treatment. Her family is considering puberty blockers. But, if the law goes into effect, Grace would not be able to receive that treatment as a minor.
The attorney for the ACLU asked the mother in court what it would be like for Grace if she undergoes puberty as a man.
“She would be crushed. She would not be able to live in this world authentically and freely be herself,” she said.
The mother said they have thought about leaving Ohio if the law goes into effect.
“Grace and I leaving and going and living with one of my sisters in California and temporarily separating our family. Which is horrible as a mother, to think about being separate from my sons and husband,” she said.
In opening statements, the attorney for the attorney general’s office said the law is important.
“The state of Ohio has a duty to protect all children. It has to take into consideration the health and safety of all its citizens and the needs of everyone and that is what the General Assembly did here. The state determined the interventions the plaintiffs want now should only be available to patients that are at least 18 years old,” said the attorney.
The ACLU then called on an expert in child psychiatry and transgender youth. He laid out the research on puberty blockers and hormones for children.
“The research shows when you receive treatment, to those who don’t receive, those who don’t receive have anxiety, depression, suicidality. I expect worsening of mental health for youth,” said Dr. Jack Lewis Turban III, expert for the ACLU on psychiatry and transgender youth.
The attorney for the attorney general’s office said later this week, we will hear from an expert who has another opinion.
“He will tell you the entire body of research on puberty blockers and hormones in minors provides no reliable evidence of effectiveness for improving mental health,” she said.