A transgender 10-year-old girl in Ohio has described her concern at her state’s bid to block access to gender-affirming care for minors.
On Friday, Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, a Republican, will announce his decision on whether to ban the treatments.
DeWine had 10 days to make a decision on the bill, House Bill 68, that was approved by the Ohio House and Senate earlier this month.
Astrid Burkle told ABC News, in an interview with her family, that she was angry at the ‘mean’ people who sought to prevent the treatments.
Her mother, Alicia Burkle, said that while her daughter was currently too young to have surgery, she was receiving extensive therapy and mental health care, and was concerned that Ohio could ban more significant treatment such as puberty blockers before her daughter was old enough to receive it.
‘It’s been really frustrating at times,’ said Astrid. ‘Because there’s just so many people out there who are just really mean.’
Astrid Burkle, aged 10, is seen with her sister Abs, mother Alicia and father Aaron
Astrid Burkle, aged 10, told ABC News she is worried about ‘mean’ people blocking her healthcare
Aaron Burkle, her father, said their local community has been supportive, but her sister Abs said they may leave Ohio if trans treatment for minors is blocked.
‘We want to be able to support our communities and the state of Ohio, but like, people are going to leave,’ said Abs Burkle.
‘People are going to be hurt. They’re not going to want to come back to Ohio.’
Alicia Burkle agreed with her daughter, and said they would move if they had to.
‘Just because you’ve said that you’re not going to allow us to get the care here in Ohio doesn’t mean we’re suddenly going to stop getting the care for our kids,’ said Alicia Burkle.
‘We trust the science, we trust her healthcare providers. And so we’re going to do what we have to do and whether that is travel out of state to get it, whether it’s leave the state and move – that’s what we’ll do.’
Ohio is considering following 22 other states and banning gender-affirming care for under 18s.
The Human Rights Campaign says that 22 states so far have banned access to gender-affirming care
Aaron Burkle and his wife Alicia says they are considering moving away from Ohio if DeWine approves the bill
The term refers to medical treatment, ranging from therapy to puberty blockers to surgery, for transgender people.
Neighboring Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia have all banned such treatments.
House Bill 68 bans not only access to gender-affirming treatment, but also prevents transgender student-athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports.
DeWine has previously said it is a complex issue. He has also spent time visiting hospitals and speaking with families both helped and harmed by gender-affirming care.
‘The one thing I think is clear is to me is both sides want what is best for children,’ DeWine said.
He said his decision will ultimately be based on what he thinks is in the best interest of the children who will be impacted by it.
More than three-fifths of legislators have voted in favor of the bill, and can override his veto.
The Burkle family are seen in a photo from 2017
Gender-affirming care has been called safe and effective by more than 20 major national medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association (AMA), ABC reported.
The AMA has said this care can be medically necessary to improve the physical and mental health of transgender people.
During the December 13 debate, state senator Paula Hicks-Hudson argued against the bill, saying that it prevented parents from acting in their child’s best interests.
‘When we look at this legislation, let’s be clear, it is not necessarily about preventing children from being exposed to these types of procedures, but it is preventing parents who are making decisions about the health care of their children,’ she said.
‘It also removes that decision for health care from professionals and parents and gives it again to government.’
But Terry Johnson, another state senator and a retired physician, said he was in favor of blocking the treatments.
‘If you don’t know if something you’re doing is going to hurt someone 10, 15, 20 years down the road – or maybe even one year down the road – don’t do it,’ he said.
‘The medical evidence is not there to support what we’re doing in the country.’