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The bill will now go back to the Senate for a vote with the amendment before it would head to the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine.

(6-26-21) A Republican Governor and a Republican controlled house usually is a good thing for the party…but not in Ohio.

Governor Mike DeWine continues to battle with his fellow Republicans…this time it is over transgender athletes competing in sports.

The Bill is sponsored by a woman, Rep. Jena Powell (R) from Arcanum.

DeWine said –

“This issue is best addressed outside of government through individual sports leagues and athletic associations, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, who can tailor policies to meet the needs of their member athletes and member institutions,”

The fight is over a Republican led legislative ban on transgender girls competing in sports, saying such a prohibition was needed to protect girls from unfair competition. . On Thursday the House inserted the ban into an unrelated bill (NCAA reimbursement to athletes). The bill proposes “separate single-sex teams and sports for each sex.”

The House Bill passed on party lines, with one Republican siding with the Democrats. The next step would be with the Senate and that looks to be a road block at this time.

The OHSAA has become a part of the discussion. According to officials they have the situation already under control and have been issuing rulings already on transgender athletes.

Tim Stried, OHSAA spokesperson –

“Those 11 (transgender) approvals have resulted in no disruption of competition regarding competitive equity and they have not caused any loss in female participation, championships or scholarship opportunities. The OHSAA is confident that our policy, which is based on medical science, is appropriate to address transgender requests and works for the benefit of all student-athletes and member schools.”

The OHSAA has a four page policy in place from 2018 –

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