Ohio judge blocks state ban on gender treatments for minors

Franklin County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Holbrook on Tuesday blocked the Buckeye State's ban on most gender-related treatments for minors.

State lawmakers in January overrode a veto from GOP Gov. Mike DeWine last year to enact the ban as well as restrictions on transgender participation in sports. DeWine vetoed the legislation last year but in January signed an executive order banning gender surgeries, though he declined to ban other treatments. The state legislation did so.

"There is little doubt as to the irreparable nature of the actual physical injury to plaintiffs upon the enforcement of the Act," Holbrook wrote.

The gender-treatment ban was slated to take effect on April 24, though Holbrook's two-week injunction will run past that date and could later be renewed, The Hill reported. He issued the order as part of a challenge from the The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), its state arm, and a law firm claiming the ban violates the state constitution.

The order comes one day after the Supreme Court permitted Idaho to enforce a similar ban while a challenge proceeds through the lower courts. Including Ohio, 23 states have enacted bans on myriad gender-related treatments for minors, according to the pro-LGBT Movement Advancement Project. Arizona has only banned surgeries.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.