COLUMBUS, Ohio — The trial that is likely to determine the future of gender transition care for minors began Monday morning.

What You Need To Know

  • The House Bill 68, also known as the SAFE Act, trial began Monday morning

  • The plaintiff and two experts testified 

  • The plaintiffs in this case are going by pseudonyms because of the personal information being shared about their children

The topic of gender dysphoria was top of mind for everyone in the courtroom. But according to the defense, it’s how gender dysphoria is handled, which is where the two parties differ. 

“And let’s be clear, the state does not challenge the existence of gender dysphoria as a clinical diagnosis, but where we part ways is what we do about it,” said defense attorney from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Amanda Narog. 

Witness testimony from one plaintiff and experts started the trial. The mother of a transgender child took the stand and testified to keep gender transition care available for her 12-year-old daughter who will soon need medical treatment like puberty blockers. She shared with the courtroom how House Bill 68 will make her daughter have to seek medical care out of state. 

“She’s afraid to lose that care from him and she again feels safe with him and has built a trusting relationship. And it would be very difficult for her to lose that that safe place with him,” said the plaintiff, using pseudonym Gina Goe. 

Goe also mentioned if House Bill 68 goes into effect, the family has discussed moving. 

“We’ve discussed that there’s a very real possibility that we feel like we may have to do that. This is a discussion that we’ve included every member of our family in, again, around our dinner table with our three older boys,” said Goe. 

The expert testimony from a psychiatrist and an endocrinologist followed the plaintiff to give more context on gender identity and mental health and medical risks of puberty blockers and hormone therapy. 

“The overall goal is to improve global functioning and psychological well-being, but that goals mediated are achieved through the physical changes from those hormones that align one’s body with one’s gender identity,” said psychiatrist and expert witness, Dr. Jack Turban

The plaintiffs are going by pseudonyms during the trial because of the personal information being shared about their children. They are also not being recorded to protect their identities and their families.