Childrey, Arienne
An Ohio trans woman announced her candidacy for the state’s legislature this week, challenging an incumbent who not only co-sponsored legislation last year to outlaw drag in Ohio but also supported legislation that would restrict gender-affirming care for trans people and limit their ability to participate in school sports.
The Ohio Legislature passed the restrictions on gender-affirming treatment and the limitations on transgender participation in sports, but Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed them in the final month of December, according to The Advocate.
King’s drag ban is pending resolution in a House committee.
“If you’re going to attack our communities, then you’re going to have to compete against someone from our community,” Arienne Childrey told the Ohio Capital Journal in announcing that she would be running for the Democratic nomination in Ohio House District 84. So far, Childrey is the only Democrat in the race.
When introducing the drag ban last summer, State Rep. Angela King, the District 84 incumbent, stated that she had been inspired to do so after witnessing a drag performer “dressed in a sleeveless thonged leotard” “twerk and dance” on stage before sitting down on the stage “with his legs spread open and raised towards the sky, giving a view of his crotch area for all to see, including young children.”
King was referring to an event, according to Childrey, that happened at the Celina Small Town Pride celebration.
According to The Advocate, Northwest Ohio Trans Advocacy was founded by Childrey, who has resided in Ohio since 2014. Her top priorities extend beyond LGBTQ rights to include strengthening unions, expanding broadband access, creating jobs, and improving public schooling.
Childrey told the Capital Journal, “It’s well past time that we have someone who goes to the legislature who is genuinely interested in dealing with… issues that actually affect people, that can improve our lives rather than somebody who is more focused on who they can damage than whom they can help.”
Tammye Nash
