A 10-year-old transgender girl from Ohio spoke up against the state ban that would put certain limitations on trans children. The news of the Governor vetoing a restriction on gender-affirming care will provide this and many other families temporary relief.
Ohio’s new potential ban
The Ohio House of Representatives and Senate approved House Bill 68, which consists of the “Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act,” a ban for transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care, and the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which would prohibit transgender girls from participating in women’s sports.
The girl’s testimony
Astrid Burkle, 10, is a transgender girl from Ohio. With families bracing themselves for the bill’s impact, Burkle spoke to ABC News and expressed her wish to “have a normal life.” In an interview that included her family, Astrid said she felt anger over “mean” people who want to prevent treatments.
Astrid’s mom shared her concerns
Alicia Burkle said she was worried about bans on puberty blockers Astrid is still too young to take. The concerned mom also shared her daughter is too young for surgery, and the whole family was considering relocating.
Leaving Ohio
Astrid’s father, Aaron Burkle, said their community supports his daughter, while her sister, Abs, said they will move out of Ohio if the ban passes. Abs Burkle expressed, “We want to be able to support our communities and the state of Ohio, but people will leave.” She added this would hurt people, adding, “They’re not going to want to go back to Ohio.”
Mom agreed
Alicia Burke confirmed that her daughter was right and counted, “Just because you said you’re not going to allow us to provide care here in Ohio doesn’t mean we’re suddenly going to stop providing care to our children.”
Trusting science
The worried mom also shared how the family trusts the science and healthcare providers, adding that moving out of the state is not off the table.
Pediatricians and physicians are “extremely cautious”
Dr. Christopher Bolling, a member of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told ABC News that his colleagues are “extremely cautious” in cases of gender-affirming care. They have long talks with patients, giving them time to explore this sensitive subject before taking drastic measures.
The Governor vetoed the decision
Republican Governor Mike DeWine called it a “complex” issue. He spent time talking to physicians and families who benefited from gender-affirming care as well as those who were hurt by it. DeWine stated, “It’s clear to me that both sides want what’s best for the children.”
DeWine’s “gut-wrenching” veto
The Governor, one of few Republicans who vetoed gender-affirming care, said this was a “gut-wrenching” decision, adding this “should not be made by the government, should not be made by the state of Ohio,” but by the parents and doctors.
The Ohio General Assembly could override the Governor’s veto
DeWine’s veto can be rejected by the Ohio General Assembly, which consists of the Republican majority. DeWine previously told AP, “We’re dealing with children who are going through a challenging time, families that are going through a challenging time,” adding, “I want, the best I can, to get it right.”
Under pressure
The veto comes weeks after difficult discussions and public debates. Terry Johnson, a state Senator who is a retired doctor, said, “If you don’t know whether something you’re doing is going to hurt someone in 10, 15, 20 years — or maybe even a year — then don’t do it,” adding, “There is no medical evidence to support what we are doing in the country.”
The opposing side
Another state Senator, Paula Hicks-Hudson, told the media, “As we look at this legislation, we must be clear that it is not necessarily about preventing children from being subjected to these types of interventions, but rather it is about preventing parents from making decisions about their children’s health care,” adding, “It will also take health care decisions away from professionals and parents and hand them back to the government.”
