The state of Ohio, among others, has had a debate raging for some time over women’s sports and so-called “gender-affirming care” in the state. Ohio House Bill 68 would have protected women’s sports by prohibiting transgendered student-athletes from competing against biological girls. The measure would have also prohibited puberty blockers and other extreme measures from being performed on minor children in the red state.
DeWine vetoed the Bill, drawing the ire of state conservatives and many notable athletes who have had the courage to speak out in defense of women’s sports in recent years. One of the loudest voices is former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines. The athlete-turned-activist has been outspoken about the subject since the proliferation of transgendered athletes has spiked in the last year, most notably swimmer Lia Thomas. Gaines has taken to the lecture circuit and has made numerous appearances on college campuses, often facing threats, harassment, and protests.
Undeterred, Thomas made a statement on social media after DeWine vetoed the Ohio measure. She wrote: “Gov. Mike DeWine is a spineless coward that needs to be removed from office.” Gaines also addressed the totality of the bill, saying it “would protect women’s sports and prevent child mutilation.”
It is possible that DeWine vetoed the bill, knowing that GOP leaders in Ohio hold enough seats to override his veto. It wouldn’t be unheard of for a Governor to make a controversial decision knowing they will eventually be protected by state legislators voting to override a veto and taking the blame off of the Governor. A similar situation occurred just south of the state in Kentucky, where the democrat Governor vetoed a similar bill, knowing full well the GOP-led state would override the veto.
Gaines acknowledged as much: ‘Fortunately, Ohio has the votes to override the veto.’ She also addressed the issue of the locker room dynamic by saying, ‘Women not wanting to unconsensually undress in front of men is now homophobic… If that’s the standard, I would imagine 99.9% of women are homophobic.’ She also claimed the veto is ‘in favor of men in women’s sports and locker rooms and children being chemically and surgically castrated’ and called for new leadership in the Buckeye State, ‘If our leaders can’t find it within themselves to protect children and women, it’s time we elect new leaders.’
The response on social media was overwhelmingly in favor of Gaines. One commenter wrote: ‘I sincerely hope they override the veto. He’s very weak and I can’t wait until he’s done,’ while another chimed in, ‘He waited until the last moment to choose not to protect women and veto it, where are the feminist?’
One negative commenter accused Gaines of ‘funding a massive echo chamber, ‘to which Gaines Gaines gave a scathing reply, ‘You [are] looking at this as a competition rather than a shared goal is telling. Remember, I didn’t ask to be in this position. I saw a problem and no one else doing anything about it. So I decided I would.’
Clearly, this issue isn’t going to go away. More states are passing legislation to restrict what Ohio has decided to allow, and while the overwhelming majority of Americans agree with the restrictions, the very vocal, small faction on the left gets all of the press and attention. Perhaps a new administration and national mindset in 2024 will help, but until then, we are sure to see more weak leaders like Mike DeWine continue to fail children and women.
"*" indicates required fields