Ohio Democrats accused of sacrificing transgender rights for votes

Backlash has erupted among Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates in Ohio after two major state politicians pulled back on their support for transgender rights, according to an in-depth report by local news outlet Signal Statewide. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and longtime U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, who is up for reelection in November, are being criticized by Democratic advisory groups and LGBTQ+ activists for their positions on transgender issues ahead of the fall election. Kaptur recently voted for a GOP-backed measure requiring parental notification when students seek to change their names or pronouns at school, and Acton was criticized for describing transgender girls as “boys” while explaining her position on transgender student-athletes.Though Acton had not previously stated her views on transgender issues, she had attended several Pride events in June. That month, however, Acton said in a newspaper statement that she “doesn’t support boys playing in girls’ sports.” Her use of the word “boys” caused particular controversy within the LGBTQ+ community.Related: 'Transgender biological men': Sherrod Brown’s Ohio ad signals the danger of Dems hesitating on trans rights Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton stirred up controversy within the Democratic party for her recent anti-trans comments.Jon Cherry/Getty ImagesIn May, Kaptur, who has historically voted in favor of LGBTQ+ protections, voted for the Republican-backed H.R. 2616, the “Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act,” which requires schools to notify parents when a child asks to change their gender, pronouns or preferred name. The bill also would withhold federal funding from schools that “teach or advance concepts related to gender identity.”Both politicians will appear on Ohio ballots in November, and Democrats have increasingly blamed the party’s support for transgender rights for some of its losses in the 2024 elections.The Buckeye Flame, a Cleveland-b