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Mike DeWine (R)
Candidate for Governor
Grade F
Mr. DeWine completed a questionnaire from the Columbus Dispatch released in January of 2018 in which he indicated that he (1) opposes same-sex marriage, (2) opposes the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in Ohio’s nondiscrimination laws, and (3) does not think that transgender or gender fluid students should be allowed to use the restroom matching their gender identity or expression. In an April 2018 Cleveland.com endorsement editorial, DeWine said he would continue Governor Kasich’s executive order banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in state employment, but that he would not expand it to include gender identity or expression. In 2003, Mr. DeWine voted in favor of legislation defining marriage as between “one man and one woman." As Attorney General, he opposed marriage equality by actively defending Ohio’s same-sex marriage ban in Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that ultimately made marriage equality the law of the land in Ohio and the country. During Mr. DeWine’s tenure in the United States Senate, he earned scores of 14% (107th Congress), 25% (108th Congress), and 11% (109th Congress) in the Human Rights Campaign’s biannual scorecard.
Jon Husted (R)
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
Grade D
As a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2003, Mr. Husted voted in favor of legislation defining marriage as between “one man and one woman." As Speaker of the House in the 126th Ohio General Assembly, Mr. Husted successfully stopped a bill (HB515) attempting to ban adoption by gay couples proposed in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Richard Cordray (D)
Candidate for Governor
Grade A
In a questionnaire from PRIZM, an Ohio LGBTQ magazine, Mr. Cordray indicated that he (1) supports legislation adding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to Ohio’s nondiscrimination laws, (2) would like to see transgender Ohioans be allowed to correct the gender marker on their birth certificates, (3) supports a ban on so-called conversion “therapy” on minors, and (4) has advocated for LGBTQ equality throughout his career as a lawyer. In 2016, as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Mr. Cordray harmonized LGBTQ equality with the implementation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in a way which allowed the agency to act upon banning credit discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. He is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign.
Betty Sutton (D)
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
Grade A
Ms. Sutton completed a questionnaire from the Columbus Dispatch released in December of 2017 in which she indicated that she (1) supports same-sex marriage, (2) supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in Ohio’s nondiscrimination laws, and (3) thinks that transgender and gender fluid students should be allowed to use the restroom that matches their gender identity. During her three terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives, she received scores of 95% (110th Congress), 97% (111th Congress), and 100% (112th Congress) on the Human Rights Campaign’s biannual scorecard. She is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign.
Frank LaRose (R)
Candidate for Secretary of State
Grade B
In the 130th General Assembly, Senator LaRose was a primary sponsor of the Equal Housing and Employment Act (SB125), a predecessor to the Ohio Fairness Act. During the 2016 Republican National Convention, Mr. LaRose participated in an event focused on LGBTQ equality, Bathrooms and Beyond, in which he discussed issues regarding transgender individuals and bathroom use with Representative Nickie Antonio and local elected leaders. In the 131st and the 132nd General Assembly, Senator LaRose did not serve as either a primary sponsor or as a co-sponsor for the Equal Housing and Employment Act (SB100) introduced by Senator Michael Skindell.
Kathleen Clyde (D)
Candidate for Secretary of State
Grade A
During her career in the Ohio House of Representatives, Representative Clyde has co-sponsored each respective General Assembly’s version of the Ohio Fairness Act (HB160), as well as inclusion of LGBTQ Ohioans in Ohio’s hate crime laws. She voted against the “Pastor Protection Act” (HB36), and she has the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign.
David Yost (R)
Candidate for Attorney General
Grade C
While serving as Ohio’s Auditor, in an August 2017 keynote address to the Franklin County Republican Party, Mr. Yost referenced the gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in a neutral manner. Other than this statement, Mr. Yost has been largely quiet on LGBTQ-specific issues.
Steve Dettelbach (D)
Candidate for Attorney General
Grade A
Steve Dettelbach defended civil rights as a federal prosecutor and helped develop a dedicated Civil Rights Unit that prosecuted hate crimes—including hate crimes based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression—under the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Act. According to a July 2018 article on Cleveland.com, Mr. Dettelbach supports legislation that includes adding crimes against LGBTQ people to Ohio’s hate crimes laws. Mr. Dettelbach commented in support of the Supreme Court of the United States striking down a key portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in 2013. He is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign.