Rather than using International Women’s Day to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women across the world, Jane Timken instead used the occasion to attack trans Ohioans.
Timken is a former chair of the Ohio Republican Party and is currently a candidate to represent the state of Ohio in the United States Senate in the vacancy being left by Rob Portman. She is one of many Republican candidates hoping to win the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, with many political insiders believing her to be a lock for Trump’s stamp of approval.
Her tweet on International Women’s Day mirrors similar transphobic sentiments expressed by her primary opponents Josh Mandel and J.D. Vance. In the only message she posted about the day, she disparages both trans youth participation in sports as well as trans access to restrooms, two issues which Republican legislators in the Columbus statehouse are working overtime to restrict.
On this #InternationalWomensDay, I proudly stand for:
-Fairness in girls’ sports
-Mothers! Not “birthing persons”👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/liXIuqLG2p
— Jane Timken (@JaneTimkenOH) March 8, 2022
Interestingly, Timken has a background of being involved with some pro-trans equality actions before she entered politics.
Formerly the chair of the Kent State University Board of Trustees, Timken voted to revise the university policy regarding discrimination to include transgender people as a protected under the gender discrimination statute. Her tenure on that Board of Trustees also coincided with the opening of Kent’s LGBTQ+ center.
Since her entry into politics, Timken has been vigorously campaigning against LGBTQ+ equality.
At a Center for Christian Virtue forum in October 2021, Timken was asked about the Equality Act, which would grant LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections nationally. Timken said, “While I’m a Christian and don’t believe in discrimination, I believe this is fundamentally an attack on religion.”
In December 2021, Timken released an education plan that includes barring transgender women to participate in sports events that correspond with their gender identity.
The Buckeye Flame reached out to Jane Timken’s communications director for comment. This article will be updated with her response if one is received.
Ignite Action:
- Check ohvotes.org to make sure you are registered to vote and update your voter registration address.
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