This week, Dr. Amy Acton’s team held a virtual meeting nearly a month after the Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee offered comments on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding state laws protecting women’s sports. As Acton told the Toledo Blade on June 30, “I do not support boys playing in girls sports. This is already settled law in Ohio, and as governor, I will enforce and uphold the law.” Among those taking issue with Acton’s comments were the Ohio Democratic Progressive Caucus and Arienne Childrey, a transgender candidate running for the 84th House District. Although Childrey previously mentioned having “high hopes” for a meeting with Acton, the campaign “made no commitments to any sort of action to repair the damage, and they completely refused to offer a retraction of her prior comments.” Childrey also claimed that LGBTQ+ “voices were actively suppressed,” and some “were refused entry” into the meeting. It took involvement from the chair of the Pride Caucus calling and putting Childrey on live speakerphone. “All in all, this felt like a meeting designed to pacify the LGBTQ+ community and allies, without any real commitment to change or making amends for past harm,” Childrey said in a statement. The statement concluded with Childrey extending “a direct invitation” to Acton, calling for “real explanations” and “a conversation that includes a public commitment to repair the damage she has caused.” "And to be clear, this is all about people, because trans youth are not 'issues,' they are people. Trans adults are not 'issues,' we are people." pic.twitter.com/gMsDZQazoS— Arienne Childrey (@Ari4Ohio) July 29, 2026 Childrey did not respond to the Daily Signal’s request for comment. About half of states, including Ohio, have laws on the books protecting women’s sports. Ohio’s law, HB 68, went into effect in 2024 after the Legislature overrode a December 2023 veto from Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. Since making the comments, Acton has seen more pushback from liberal constituents. Equality Ohio downgraded Acton’s score from an “A” to “pending,” according to the Buckeye Flame. A statement from the LGBTQ+ advocacy group noted comments like Acton’s “are extremely harmful” and “reflect a broader pattern of scapegoating trans people.” The statement also noted that the pending grade reflects the group’s belief “that accountability is still possible, and that the door remains open at this time.” “Should Dr. Acton choose to take meaningful steps forward, we will update the status accordingly,” the group added.