DeMora Condemns Hateful Veto Override

Today, state Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) issued a statement after the Ohio House voted to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 68, which will ban critical gender-affirming health care for minors and ban transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity, effectively banning them from school sports entirely.

“I am beyond disgusted that the Ohio House voted to override the veto of House Bill 68. Doctors, advocates, and even Governor DeWine—the leader of the Ohio Republican party—made it very clear that if House Bill 68 passes, people will die! Today, Ohio House Republicans took this information and decided to overwhelmingly support a bill that will kill Ohioans,” said DeMora. “Earlier today in House committee, batty Beth Lear even invoked the Bible to call for the death of trans people. Republicans are not overlooking the dire consequences of this bill; they are endorsing them!”

A National Institutes of Health study shows that 82% of transgender individuals have considered suicide and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality being highest among transgender youth. Another NIH study found that providing gender-affirming care and support for transgender youth decreases suicide rates and increases quality of life.

The veto override of House Bill 68 now heads to the Ohio Senate.