In a dramatic reversal just weeks before the midterm elections, Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio has abandoned her long-standing support for transgender rights, signaling a sharp turn in her stance on LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Kaptur, who previously served as a prominent ally of the Human Rights Campaign and co-sponsored legislation prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations and federal programs, recently launched ads criticizing what she describes as “gender ideology” in schools. In one ad titled “Say No,” she stated she had “said no to gender ideology in schools.” A second online ad claimed she “voted with Republicans to keep transgender ideology out of our schools.”
The shift comes as Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in congressional history, faces a tight race against Republican opponent Derek Merrin—whom she narrowly defeated by a few thousand votes in 2024.
Kaptur’s reversal has ignited immediate backlash. Erin Reed, romantic partner of Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D), wrote: “This is getting out of control,” adding, “Do NOT vote for anti-transgender Democrats.” Former Kaptur intern Nick Fulton expressed embarrassment at having her name on his resume, stating he had removed it after declaring himself “a 27-year-old working journalist who challenges oppression and interrogates transphobia daily.”
Equality Ohio downgraded Kaptur to a D-grade, noting she previously earned a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign but has since released anti-trans ads. Lucas County Stonewall Democrats issued a letter demanding she remove her “transphobic ad,” stating: “Not only do your words create deep emotional harm and place an unnecessary spotlight on our Trans community members… but you have also now engaged in a race to the bottom with Republicans.”
The Christopher Steele Project, a trans advocacy group, warned that Democrats who abandon their queer allies risk losing the community’s support.
Kaptur’s opponent, Derek Merrin, condemned her shift as “naked election-time opportunism,” stating: “Marcy Kaptur is desperate to hold onto power. She is resorting to the typical career politician handbook: slander your opponent, distort the facts, and hope voters don’t check the record.”
Merrin further noted that Kaptur has voted twice against a bill prohibiting men from playing in women’s sports and co-sponsored the Equality Act six times—a measure that would allow men into women’s locker rooms.
The National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Zach Bannon accused Kaptur of spreading “lies” and stated she must disavow her previous votes or remove her ads to repair her image.
Kaptur’s reversal follows similar shifts by other Democrats: Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton was downgraded by Equality Ohio after claiming she does not support boys playing in girls’ sports; Texas Senate candidate James Talarico walked back his support for men in girls’ sports “if it risks safety or fairness”; and North Carolina Rep. Don Davis recently released a commercial stating there should be “a safe and fair space for women and girls in sports.”
