Rep. Somani Condemns Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Passed During Pride Month

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Anita Somani, MD (D-Dublin) condemned the passage of House Bill 8, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and House Bill 68, the ban on gender-affirming care for minors. These bills serve as a direct attack on the freedoms of LGBTQ+ children, adults and families in Ohio.  

“House Republicans continue to silence the voices of Ohioans by passing legislation that disregards evidence-based medicine and denies LGBTQ+ youth the ability to be their true, authentic selves,” said Rep. Somani. “House Bill 68 creates confusion and chaos for families and their medical providers. Throughout the course of this General Assembly, my Democratic colleagues on the Public Health Policy Committee and I have received almost 11 thousand emails in opposition to House Bill 68 and less than 800 emails in favor of it. The gerrymandered politicians that have been elected do not represent Ohio voters. We will continue to fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ Ohioans.”

House Bill 68 bans doctors from providing any type of gender-affirming care for minors in Ohio, including the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy. House Bill 6, the “Save Women’s Sports Act”, was amended into House Bill 68 in its latest committee hearing. This requires schools and universities to designate single-sex sports teams. 

A federal judge on Tuesday permanently blocked Arkansas’ ban on gender-affirming care, citing it violated the constitutional rights of transgender youth, their parents and their medical providers. Similar bills have been struck down in Florida, Indiana, Alabama and Texas.

Republican-sponsored anti-LGBTQ+ legislation further stigmatizes a vulnerable group of children and takes away Ohioans’ civil rights. Hateful bills like these prevent Ohio from becoming a welcoming and safe state for all and hinders our ability to attract and retain workforce talent.

House Bill 8 and House Bill 68 now goes to the Senate for consideration.