Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine, a member of the Republican party, stirred controversy by vetoing the Enact Ohio Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act (HB 68) on December 29. The bill aimed to shield children from irreversible transgender medical procedures and bar male-born transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The SAFE Act, passed by the state legislature, received substantial backing from the GOP, although Governor DeWine’s veto diverged from the party’s overwhelming support.
Governor DeWine defended his decision, citing concerns raised by the left about the impact of opposing transgenderism on the mental health of transgender youth. In a statement justifying his veto, DeWine acknowledged having consulted medical professionals and engaging with youth and parents, stating, “I’ve also listened to youth and parents. Parents who have told me if not for this treatment, their child would be dead.”
Emphasizing the gravity of the consequences, DeWine asserted, “The consequences of this bill could not be more profound. Ohio would be saying the state, the government, knows better than the two people who love that child the most, the parents.” He went further by directing his administration to formulate rules aligning with the transgender lobby’s views and urged the legislature to join him in supporting transgenderism for children.
The Governor underscored the need for a collaborative process, stating, “What we have found is there needs to be a process.” He positioned his decision as one aimed at protecting the lives of transgender children, aligning with parents who advocate for transgender interventions for their children.
The SAFE Act, which passed in the state House and Senate with party-line votes, faced minimal dissent within the Republican party. GOP Senator Nathan Manning was the sole Republican crossing party lines to vote with the Democrats on the bill.
Critics, including Terry Schilling, President of the American Principles Project (APP), expressed disappointment and accused DeWine of capitulating to the transgender industry. Schilling contended that DeWine’s decision failed to demonstrate the courage needed to protect children and families from what he characterized as dangerous medical procedures and the intrusion of male-born athletes into women’s sports.
Women’s sports activist Riley Gaines, in a scathing critique on her social media account, accused DeWine of cowardice, alleging his support for “men in women’s sports and locker rooms & children being chemically and surgically castrated.”
The controversy surrounding Governor DeWine’s veto reflects the broader national debate on transgender rights, with contrasting views on how to address the intersection of transgender identity, medical interventions, and participation in sports. As Ohio grapples with these complex issues, the role of political leadership in shaping policies that balance diverse perspectives remains a contentious subject.
The pedophiles and perverts are running all of our state governments. They should all be locked up. Never to see daylight again.
Amen, Mike.
Imagine that.. He’s buddy,buddy with Groper Joe..