LGBTQ+ Groups Slam Campaign Ads by Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur

In late September 2026, American LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and local Democratic Party committees in Ohio strongly criticized veteran Democratic U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur following the release of campaign advertisements distancing herself from progressive policies and adopting anti-transgender rhetoric.

According to a report by LGBTQ Nation , in a 30-second television ad titled “Out Here,” Kaptur addresses voters directly: “Look, I know how extreme liberal politicians are out of touch with our values. I don’t support gender ideology in schools, and I voted to ban biological males from women’s sports and for parents’ rights. I’m Marcy Kaptur and I approve this message because girls’ sports should be for girls.” The ad was launched amid a tightly contested re-election battle in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, where Kaptur faces Republican state representative Derek Merrin.

The advertisements drew immediate condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocates. The Lucas County Stonewall Democrats expressed disappointment, stating that the campaign scapegoats vulnerable community members for political gain. Statewide advocacy group Equality Ohio downgraded Kaptur’s legislative rating from a “B” to a “D,” stating that such political messaging fuels discrimination against transgender youth. Furthermore, Equality PAC, a political action committee supporting pro-LGBTQ+ lawmakers, removed Kaptur from its endorsement list. In response, Kaptur’s campaign defended the message, arguing that it aligns with the values of northwest Ohio voters and highlighting her decades-long record of supporting working families and foundational civil rights protections.

Marcy Kaptur has represented Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1983, making her the longest-serving woman in congressional history. Following district boundary changes, Ohio’s 9th District shifted significantly more conservative, creating one of the most competitive federal electoral battlegrounds in the country.

Earlier, Urania reported that LGBTQ+ advocates in the United States criticized advocacy groups for endorsing Democratic candidates with anti-transgender records ahead of competitive elections.