Ohio lawmakers are catching heat because they proposed legislation that would protect parents from losing their rights in the event their child wants to become transgender, and the parents don’t agree with that decision. Two Republicans in the state legislature introduced HB 685 which is now sitting in committee and, if passed, would “prohibit a court from using a parent, guardian, or custodian’s refusal to allow a child to undergo gender-based treatment as a basis for determining custody of the child.” The bill has made national news because LGBTQ advocates oppose it and are arguing the legislation would “force teachers and doctors to out transgender children.”
A portion of the bill requires that “if a government agent or entity has knowledge that a child under its care or supervision has exhibited symptoms of gender dysphoria or otherwise demonstrates a desire to be treated in a manner opposite of the child’s biological sex, the government agent or entity with knowledge of that circumstance shall immediately notify, in writing, each of the child’s parents and the child’s guardian or custodian.” This is clearly not an attempt to violate a child’s privacy or rights, but to help parents come alongside and help their own child during a time of need. As they should.
