Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) vetoed three anti-LGBTQ+ provisions in the states latest budget bill yesterday, in a partial victory for civil rights that still leaves several assaults on LGBTQ+ identity signed into law.The budget passed by Republicans over Democrats objections included a raft of measures targeting the LGBTQ+ community, including a prohibition on flying the Pride flag on state property; defunding shelters that welcome trans youth; language defining sex in the state as binary; removing library books related to sexual orientation or gender identity from areas accessed by minors; and denying Medicaid funding for mental health services for transgender people. Related Senate drops anti-trans provisions to barely pass major budget bill that cuts Medicaid The Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the Senate by so little that the vice president had to go to the Senate to break the tie. DeWine vetoed the prohibition on the Pride flag, the defunding of youth shelters, and the mandate on library materials. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The budget is supposed to be a reflection of Ohios shared values, Equality Ohio said in a statement shared with the Columbus Dispatch after the governor vetoed the provisions. The group said lawmakers tried to make the bill a vehicle for cruelty.But because of community actionbecause we showed up, we sent emails, we made calls, and we told your stories someof that cruelty was stopped in its tracks, the organization said.DeWine, a lifelong conservative and former United States senator, was circumspect in explaining the reasoning behind his vetoes.On the subject of youth shelters, DeWine told reporters, We want homeless shelters to be open for everyone. Thats kind of it.Of the library provision, which ordered books addressing LGBTQ+ identity kept out of sight of minors, the governor said, As parents or grandparents, no one wants their child to have a book or something that is inappropriate, something that is obscene. But I just felt that the language did not work. The provision banning the Pride flag would have limited flags flown on state properties to the American flag, the Ohio flag, the POW/MIA flag, and flags of official state agencies.Wins for MAGA Republicans in the GOP-dominated Ohio House and Senate included copycat language from the presidents gender ideology executive order mandating the government recognize only two biological sexes, male and female, as well as a ban on Medicaid funding for mental health services for transgender people.How the latter would be enforced in a mental health setting has yet to be tested and will likely be challenged in court.DeWine also let stand a prohibition on distributing menstrual products in mens public restrooms. Republican leaders can override any of DeWines line-item vetoes between now and the end of the two-year legislative session in December 2026. The GOP holds overwhelming and veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate.In January 2024, Republicans overrode DeWines veto of a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors and trans women and girls from participating in school sports in the state.In November, DeWine signed a discriminatory bathroom bill into law restricting use of public school and college restrooms based on biological sex.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.