Dem. Ohio Gov Candidate Amy Acton Scheduled a Meeting With LGBTQ+ Advocates, ...

[Asche]

Dem. Ohio Gov Candidate Amy Acton Scheduled a Meeting With LGBTQ+ Advocates, Didn't Show Up, And Kicked Out Trans People Who Did

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/dem-ohio-gov-candidate-amy-acton 🔗

ERIN REED (JUL 30, 2026)

Amy Acton, Ohio Democratic Candidate for Governor, has seen her relationship with the state's LGBTQ+ community go from bad to catastrophic. Weeks after Acton endorsed a transgender sports ban and called transgender girls "boys," the fallout has been intense: the Ohio Democratic Party forced its own Progressive and Pride caucuses to delete their criticism and a meeting the campaign promised would begin repairing the damage instead further inflamed tensions. Inside sources who have gone public now say the "listening session" was a debacle. Acton did not show up, her campaign manager barred Arienne Childrey—Vice Chair of the party's Pride Caucus, a transgender candidate for the Ohio House, and Ohio's first openly trans city council member—from even entering the Zoom call. When another advocate demanded to know why Childrey was barred, she was ejected. The Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Kim McCarthy, was locked in the waiting room during the entire "listening session."  And in the end, the campaign ultimately refused to apologize for calling trans girls "boys," refused to retract Acton's support for a transgender sports ban, and ended the meeting with no plans for what come next.

[Asche]

Another paragraph in the same article expresses my own view towards Democratic candidates and elected officials who adopt transphobia (and other bigotries) in their platforms.

"They have, in a fit of transphobic sadism, forced a no-win scenario for their Democratic constituents and every Democratic nominee in Ohio: If this campaign loses, we will suffer under a Ramaswamy administration; but if we reward this campaign with victory, corporate Democrats at every level of government across the nation will think themselves justified in replicating this unconscionable campaign philosophy."

We don't know if it's because they are truly bigoted or because they have been convinced that pandering to hate is the way to get into power.  (Cf. Alabama Governor George Wallace.)  But does it matter which it is?  My impression is that this attitude is prevalent in the Democratic party, especially among the higher-ups.

And a lot of people, especially young voters, chose not to vote in the last presidential election because they feel that the Democratic politicians aren't any better than the Republicans.

[KristaFairchild]

Thank God, I live in California. Granted, my area is as red as the middle of Arkansas, but it's still in the state of California. 

Recently, we had a primary for governor. Some ridiculous number of Democrats were running. I believe it was over 60. I read about all the front runners and every single one was absolutely in 100% pro LGBTQ+,  including trans. Many had a legacy of actions to support this not just words. 

I grew up in Michigan in Ohio and those Democrats are a different breed. It's a lot different on the West Coast. Here we get to see hope for the Democratic Party.

[tammy753]

WOW I didn't know this so thanks! Now I don't know who to vote for both sides are terrible this year.

[Laura Squirrel]

WOW I didn't know this so thanks! Now I don't know who to vote for both sides are terrible this year.

I'm subbed to the Erin The Morning newsletter. I saw this yesterday. Great way to start the day.

*sighs*

It's getting to the point where I just want to stay home. Between both sides demonstrating that they hate us, and the very real possibility of being attacked, abducted, or shot at the polling place by the Gestapo, I don't even want to waste my time.

I WANT to fight back. I WANT to yell: "SCREW YOU! I'M NOT STANDING FOR THIS!"

Why? What's the point? They were able to convince so many idiots to bring that bufoon back and fire up the 4th Reich. I read Project 2025 in its entirety. I knew what would happen.

Being in this mental tug o war is exhausting.
It really sucks being someone who had an interest in current events from the age of six, onward.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Find an Independent, Green Party, or some other candidate that you can support. Those others are fighting an uphill battle because they don't have the Big Money™ funding their campaigns. But if they get enough votes, people take notice.

A prime example of that was the Tea Party. Started as a grassroots movement. Sadly, it got absorbed by the GOP, but that's money at work.

[tammy753]

The Problem is the Other option is a trump crony so its better to vote for the lesser of the 2 evils if I can figure out who that is it would be nice. Voting for a candidate with no chance of winning does send a message but it doesn't change policy.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Voting for a candidate with no chance of winning does send a message but it doesn't change policy.

But think about it. If the candidate with no chance of winning gets more votes than the Evil Alternatives... that sends a very strong message. People talk about fear of wasting their vote. But if everyone, or even a large number of people, do those votes aren't wasted.

[Devlyn ✅]

No independent, green party, Ralph Nader, or any other candidate is going to stand up for us either. All politicians are simply in it for the power, and voting only encourages them.

We don't need to vote, we need Madame Guillotine to make a comeback.

[Laura Squirrel]

Find an Independent, Green Party, or some other candidate that you can support. Those others are fighting an uphill battle because they don't have the Big Money™ funding their campaigns. But if they get enough votes, people take notice.

A prime example of that was the Tea Party. Started as a grassroots movement. Sadly, it got absorbed by the GOP, but that's money at work.

I'm sorry. But I have to respectfully disagree. My friend, whom I have talked about before, shares the same opinion as you. I just don't see any proof that voting 3rd party is in any way beneficial at this point. You have to start at the local level. That's just the way it is. The German Nazi Party understood this. The Christian Nationalists learned the lessons from the Germans. You can't jump to the next to last lap of the race and think that will, possibly, guarantee that you will win.

[tammy753]

the other option is so terrible that I have to vote for her. I am just not happy about it.

[Laura Squirrel]

the other option is so terrible that I have to vote for her. I am just not happy about it.

That right there is the problem. If we had several VIABLE political parties, we could get somewhere. The game is rigged.