Dear John,

I'm writing to you today regarding an urgent development in Ohio, where we have a chance to protect the health and safety of millions of children.

As you already know, radical ideologues across the country are attempting to push policies grounded in gender ideology. They're teaching children that they may have been born in the wrong body and that the only solution is invasive, experimental, and often irreversible gender transition procedures. Procedures that these children are too young to truly consent to.

The Word of God is clear on this issue: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

Under the guise of healthcare, the Left is pushing their twisted worldview on families and promoting experimental drugs and procedures for kids. This so-called gender-affirming care is literally the opposite of what they say -- and the physical effects of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries often cannot be reversed.

Unfortunately, gender ideology is reaching American families, but also the highest seats of government in states across our nation. Elected officials are frozen in fear and often choose to bow their knee to this radical ideology, putting children at great risk.

We cannot sit back and let them capture the minds and alter the bodies of our children.

FRC has been at the forefront of this battle from the very first SAFE Act, and we aren't backing down. We have been working with legislators across the country and providing the framework and support necessary to protect children at all costs.

Just a few years ago, many thought that gender ideology was a fringe idea that was too outrageous to gain any traction and didn't warrant attention. But as we prayed about it, the FRC team recognized that this ideology would soon be foisted upon our children.

So, we drafted a model bill, combined with expert research, that would empower lawmakers to act swiftly to deal with this issue. That legislation is called the SAFE (Save Adolescents from Experimentation) Act.

John, we need your support to protect children in Ohio and beyond.

SAFE Act-style bills have been introduced in over 30 states across the country, but our work is far from over. We must continue to educate and equip lawmakers to take action and pass this legislation to protect our children.

Once a state legislature passes a piece of legislation, it goes to the governor's desk for approval. But some governors are choosing to veto these common-sense bills.

That's exactly what happened in Ohio.

In June 2023, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the SAFE Act. The bill sat in the Ohio Senate for months, waiting for further consideration. In mid-December, the Senate finally passed the bill and sent it to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for his signature.

DeWine shocked fellow Republicans when he caved to pressure from the Left and vetoed the SAFE Act in the final days of 2023.

"I believe parents, not the government, should be making these very crucial medical decisions," he said. The governor then proposed a limited executive administrative rule to ban gender transitions for minors and invited some of the SAFE Act's opponents to help draft and refine the rule, thinking this would "take the issue off the table."

Not a chance.

The SAFE Act is about far more than stopping surgeries. DeWine refused to include language addressing the use of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers in his executive order. These experimental drugs are incredibly dangerous and can result in lifelong psychological and physical harm.

Rep. Gary Click, one of the Ohio legislators leading the charge on the SAFE Act, told The Washington Stand: "The governor's temporary administrative orders are no substitute for solid legislation. Children deserve protection that extends beyond four-year increments."

Thankfully, concerned Buckeyes and state legislators aren't willing to give up so easily when it comes to protecting children.

The Ohio House of Representatives voted last Wednesday, January 10, to override the veto -- with three more legislators actually voting for the override than had supported the original bill. (This shows that elected officials listen when concerned citizens make their voices heard!)

But the Ohio Senate doesn't return to session until Wednesday, January 24. The senators are going to face a barrage of pressure and lies from leftist activists, the mainstream media, and the medical lobby that doesn't want to lose this financially lucrative business.

Ohio's state senators need to know that they have the public's support. And they need the facts.

FRC is hard at work, along with our state partners, equipping them to counter the lies and reassuring them that they are not standing alone in this fight.

John, we need you to stand with us and give these lawmakers the support they need.

The action taken by the courageous lawmakers in the Ohio House of Representatives is a testament to the work of FRC and the influence of engaged believers like you. FRC has successfully worked with lawmakers in Arkansas and Louisiana to override vetoes, and we won't back down in Ohio.

But even if the Ohio Senate votes to override DeWine's veto, many battles still lie ahead.

Radical gender ideology is being pushed in every state of our nation and every sphere of society. It will not only twist and distort the worldview of our kids but also permanently damage the bodies and lives of so many young people.

It is crucial that we stand to protect kids from this radical experimentation and prevent the manipulation and sterilization of the next generation.

We must stand for the truth about human biology in the public square and policy. We know this battle won't be easy, but with your support, we can turn the tide.

Please share this message with your family, friends, and church members. And thank you for your support. It will make a difference in the lives of our children and the future of our nation.

Your contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.