Ohio Court Overturns Ban on Gender-Affirming Care

An Ohio appeals court has overturned significant portions of a state law banning gender-affirming care for minors, citing violations of constitutional rights. The panel ruled that the ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy violates parents' rights to direct medical care for their children and should undergo strict scrutiny, sending the case back to the Franklin County Court. The decision follows a lawsuit by advocacy groups, including the ACLU, challenging the law's constitutionality. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the legislation was necessary to protect minors. The ruling does not affect the law's prohibition on gender-affirming surgeries for minors and trans girls participating in female sports teams. This legal battle underscores the ongoing national debate over transgender rights and healthcare access.