Ohio Governor Signs Law Banning Transgender Students from Using Bathrooms Matching Their Gender Identity

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a controversial measure requiring students in the state’s K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to use restrooms and other facilities that align with their sex assigned at birth.

With this legislation, Ohio becomes the latest of over a dozen states to enact similar restrictions on bathroom access for transgender individuals.

The new law permits schools to construct single-occupancy restrooms to accommodate privacy concerns but does not prohibit individuals from entering restrooms to assist others, such as caregivers helping children or elderly persons.

Proponents argue the measure enhances privacy and safety for students, while critics warn it fosters unnecessary fear about transgender individuals and could expose transgender students to heightened risks of discrimination and violence.

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, has noted that Ohio joins at least 14 other states with similar bans.

Critics, including civil rights organizations and LGBTQ advocates, argue that such measures are part of a broader trend targeting transgender rights under the guise of protecting privacy or fairness.

Governor DeWine’s office declined to comment ahead of the bill’s signing, though the governor previously stated he would evaluate the legislation’s language closely.

“I’m for kids being able to go to the bathroom with the gender assignment so that they have that protection, but I’ll have to look at the specific language,” DeWine told reporters this past summer.

The signing of this law comes amidst a broader national push by Republican lawmakers to restrict rights and access for transgender individuals.

In recent years, Republican legislators have introduced hundreds of bills focused on transgender healthcare, bathroom access, and sports participation. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the 2024 legislative session alone has seen a record number of anti-LGBTQ proposals.

Despite signing this bathroom access restriction, DeWine has demonstrated a willingness to oppose some Republican-led initiatives targeting transgender rights.

In December 2023, he vetoed a bill that sought to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries.

His veto was seen as a rare divergence from the national Republican platform and highlighted his cautious approach to controversial social issues.

Advocates for transgender rights argue that bathroom bans and similar policies exacerbate challenges faced by transgender youth, including mental health struggles and social exclusion.

The Trevor Project, an organization focused on preventing LGBTQ youth suicide, has reported that restrictive policies contribute to higher rates of anxiety and depression among transgender individuals.

As Ohio enacts its bathroom ban, debates over such policies continue to fuel division between those advocating for greater inclusion and those prioritizing privacy and safety concerns.

The law is expected to face legal challenges from civil rights groups, setting the stage for ongoing battles over transgender rights in Ohio and across the country.