COLUMBUS, Ohio — The trial began Monday for Ohio’s controversial transgender health care and women’s sports law.
The mother told the court that as a toddler, Grace was drawn to feminine things like wanting to wear a dress. The mother said somewhere between kindergarten and first grade, Grace started to say she was a girl and started wearing feminine clothing.Grace is diagnosed with gender dysphoria, but she has not received any medical treatment. Her family is considering puberty blockers. But, if the law goes into effect, Grace would not be able to receive that treatment as a minor.
“She would be crushed. She would not be able to live in this world authentically and freely be herself,” she said.“Grace and I leaving and going and living with one of my sisters in California and temporarily separating our family. Which is horrible as a mother, to think about being separate from my sons and husband,” she said.“The state of Ohio has a duty to protect all children.
“The research shows when you receive treatment, to those who don’t receive, those who don’t receive have anxiety, depression, suicidality. I expect worsening of mental health for youth,” said Dr. Jack Lewis Turban III, expert for the ACLU on psychiatry and transgender youth.