April 17th, 2024-COLUMBUS, Ohio-A judge in Ohio has temporarily halted the implementation of a law known as the Saving Ohio Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which aimed to ban gender-transition hormone therapy and surgeries for minors, as well as restrict biological men from participating in women’s sports. The law, set to take effect on April 24, faced legal challenges from the ACLU of Ohio, arguing it violates the state constitution.
Governor Mike DeWine initially vetoed the law, citing concerns about parental authority over medical decisions, but later issued an executive order restricting gender-transition surgeries on minors. Despite DeWine’s veto, the Ohio senate and house overrode it, passing the law. Franklin County Judge Michael Holbrook granted a temporary restraining order, blocking the law’s implementation for 14 days or until further litigation. The ACLU welcomed the decision, emphasizing the importance of transgender youth’s access to healthcare. The Ohio state senate, dominated by Republicans, expressed intent to continue the legal battle to defend the law.
