Ohio governor signs ‘bathroom bill’ into law, restricting students from using opposite-sex restrooms

Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has taken a decisive step by signing a bill into law that will prevent schools from allowing students of the opposite sex into restrooms and locker rooms. The legislation, known as the Protect All Students Act and often referred to as the “bathroom bill,” was met with controversy and debate before being sent to DeWine’s desk earlier this month. The bill passed the state Senate with a vote of 24-7, strictly along party lines, and had previously been approved by the House before the chamber went on summer break in June.

The new law, which will take effect in 90 days, aims to restrict transgender students from using facilities associated with their gender identities in public K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. It mandates schools to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations for the exclusive use of either males or females, based on one’s gender assigned at or near birth. This requirement applies to both school buildings and facilities used for school-sponsored events.

DeWine’s decision to sign the bill into law was not guaranteed, as there were hopes from Democrats, teachers unions, and civil rights groups that his previous veto of a ban on sex changes for minors and hormone therapies for transgender individuals under 18 would lead him to take a similar course of action. However, the Republican-dominated Senate voted to override the veto, leading to the ban coming into effect.

While DeWine did not release a statement announcing his decision to sign the bill, supporters of the legislation expressed their satisfaction with the outcome. Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, praised the governor’s decision, stating that “no student should be forced to go into the bathroom or locker room with a student of the opposite sex.” Riley Gaines, a former All-American swimmer and advocate for excluding biological males from female sports, echoed these sentiments.

On the other hand, critics of the bill, including the ACLU of Ohio, condemned it as a violation of the privacy rights of transgender individuals and argued that it would make them less safe. The ACLU emphasized their commitment to supporting the trans community and ensuring that every Ohioan has the freedom to access facilities that align with their gender identity.

Despite the controversy surrounding the “bathroom bill,” various battles regarding transgender rights in bathrooms and sports are ongoing across the nation. President-elect Trump has pledged to keep men out of women’s sports, and several states have enacted laws prohibiting transgender girls and women from using facilities designated for girls and women.

In conclusion, Gov. DeWine’s decision to sign the bill into law has sparked mixed reactions and highlighted the ongoing debate over transgender rights and inclusion in public facilities. The new legislation will have a significant impact on how schools in Ohio accommodate transgender students, and it remains to be seen how these changes will be implemented and enforced in the coming months.