<p>The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a prominent transgender advocacy organization, has withdrawn its support from two Democratic congressional candidates, Amy Acton and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), due to their opposition to allowing biological boys to compete as girls in school sports.</p>
<p>Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, stated, “I do not support boys in girls’ sports,” in a late June interview with the Toledo Blade. Kaptur’s campaign also distributed mailers asserting, “Unlike the far left, I believe boys shouldn’t play girls sports.”</p>
<p>Kelley Robinson, president of the HRC, announced the decision to disassociate from Acton and Kaptur during a press conference on Monday. This marks a significant shift in the HRC's longstanding support for Kaptur, who had previously received endorsements from the organization in 2018, 2020, and 2022.</p>
<p>Robinson remarked, “I’m not wasting my time on Marcy Kaptur,” indicating a strategic pivot towards candidates who align more closely with the HRC's positions on transgender issues.</p>
<p>The HRC is now focusing its resources on candidates like former Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who is campaigning for a Senate seat. Robinson stated, “We’re spending our energy investing in the candidates that are all the way with us.”</p>
<p>Robinson also cautioned that other Democratic candidates could risk losing support and funding from the HRC if they diverge from the organization's stance on transgender sports.</p>
<p>James Talarico, a Texas Senate candidate endorsed by the HRC, faced scrutiny for acknowledging the potential dangers of allowing boys to compete against girls in sports. Talarico stated, “I oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it endangers safety or fairness,” during a September interview.</p>
<p>Robinson noted that Talarico later apologized for his comments, claiming they were taken out of context and did not reflect his complete stance on the issue.</p>
<p>The article raises questions about the motivations behind Acton and Kaptur's positions on sex-segregated sports, suggesting that their statements may be influenced by the need to appeal to moderate voters in competitive races. Polling data indicates that 45% of adults are more likely to support candidates advocating for bans on trans athletes in female sports, compared to 20% who would back opponents of such bans.</p>
<p>Acton is currently in a close race against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, while Kaptur faces a challenging reelection campaign due to redistricting that has introduced more Republican voters into her district.</p>
<p>Kaptur recently aired an advertisement stating, “I voted with Republicans to keep transgender ideology out of our schools because parents know best for their kids,” referencing her support for the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act.</p>
<p>The bill, pending in the Senate, aims to restrict federal funding for schools that do not obtain parental consent for changes related to a student’s gender identity.</p>
<p>Robinson countered that candidates do not need to compromise on LGBTQ+ issues to resonate with voters, stating, “If these folks are elected, we’ll figure out how to operate on the other side.”</p>
<p>The HRC is recognized as a leading LGBT-interest group in the United States, with plans to allocate $15 million this election cycle for mobilizing LGBT voters, marking its largest investment for a midterm election.</p>