COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has formally responded to the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) appeal challenging the state’s recent trial court victory upholding the constitutionality of House Bill 68.
House Bill 68, which was enacted to ban medical interventions aimed at transitioning the sex or gender of minors, also preserves female sports teams and protects parents from losing custody if they do not support their children’s transition.
The ruling, delivered on August 6 by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook, came after a lawsuit filed by the ACLU questioned the law’s constitutionality. Following five days of testimony and written arguments from both sides, the court ruled in favor of the state, allowing the law to remain in effect.
“The court carefully reviewed the evidence and rightfully upheld Ohio’s law designed to protect children from harmful experimental treatments,” Yost said in his response to the appeal. He emphasized that the law was passed by Ohio’s elected officials to safeguard children, ensure fairness in sports, and uphold parental rights.
Yost reiterated that the law includes necessary regulatory measures to prevent minors from undergoing irreversible medical procedures and to maintain integrity in women’s sports. He reaffirmed his commitment to defending the legislation.
“The legislature has the authority to prevent treatments deemed dangerous for our children,” Yost concluded. “I will continue to vigorously defend this law.”
