Stonewall Columbus vehemently disagrees with proposed Ohio House Bill 68—this is a clear attack on identity and not a concern for healthcare. People, regardless of their gender or age, must have the right to show up as their full, authentic selves, most importantly in the presence of their healthcare providers so as to ensure the person receives the best individualized care needed. The proposed bill would damage the well-being of youth as they develop their understanding of self-identity, while also jeopardizing the trust between providers and patients, and would impact an individual’s future actions to seek medical care.
The American Medical Association, the largest and only national association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, noted its membership “supports everyone’s access to quality evidence-based health care regardless of gender or sexual orientation.” It seems misinformed that a select group of non-medical professionals would be able to propose a bill that if passed, would ban critical, gender-affirming healthcare for minors, while further stigmatizing the transgender and non-binary community and their needs. House Bill 68 not only threatens the privacy of transgender and non-binary youth, but also their ability to seek affirming care.
This legislation is harmful and infiltrates a family’s right to make important medical decisions.
Learn more and take action here: https://www.kycohio.org/hb68.html
[This statement can be attributed to Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Densil Porteous.]
