Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill that will prohibit transgender individuals from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. The new law requires K-12 and college students to use facilities based on their sex assigned at birth. It also bans multi-occupancy gender neutral restrooms and prevents transgender students from sharing overnight accommodations with peers of the same gender. The restrictions do not apply to school employees, emergency situations, or individuals assisting young children or those with disabilities.
Ohio now joins at least a dozen other states with similar laws limiting bathroom access for transgender individuals. The decision comes nearly a year after DeWine vetoed legislation that banned gender-affirming care for minors and blocked transgender girls and women from playing in female sports. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has sued the state on behalf of two transgender girls and their families, but a judge ruled in favor of the law taking effect.
The ACLU of Ohio is considering their next steps in response to the bathroom law, emphasizing that transgender individuals are part of the fabric of Ohio and deserve the freedom to access facilities that align with their gender identity. This decision has sparked debate and controversy, with supporters of the law applauding DeWine for protecting students and critics arguing that it discriminates against transgender individuals.
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