Daniel Cameron

—In a campaign debate hosted by The League of Women Voters of Kentucky, multiple times misgendered transgender student athletes by calling them “biological boys.”

—Focused campaign for governor on targeting transgender youth, who make up an estimated 0.7% of Kentucky’s 13–17 population—including false and inflammatory ads that describe a “radical transgender agenda” while inaccurately conflating people in drag with being trans. The ad falsely claims “It’s bombarding our children everywhere we turn. Child sex changes with permanent consequences.” Every major medical association supports health care for transgender people and youth.

—Falsely claimed in campaign event where “Anti-trans rhetoric [was] again at forefront,” that Gov. Beshear was “demanding that boys play in girls’ sports” and “protects transgender surgery for kids.” Gov. Beshear vetoed a bill that bans transgender girls from girls’ school sports, and vetoed another bill that banned essential health care that’s supported by every major medical association and removes parents’ rights to make health care decisions for their children.

—Falsely called health care for transgender youth “child mutilation.” Health care for transgender youth follows clinical protocol and guidelines established by WPATH Standards of Care, created with the best available science and expert professional consensus, and rarely includes surgeries. The judge noted that Kentucky’s ban, SB 150, also unfairly and unconstitutionally singles out transgender youth by blocking access to health care that cisgender youth can still receive

—Defended Kentucky’s abortion ban to the U.S. Supreme Court, which bars the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, including for children who get pregnant, and all cases of rape and incest. Abortion is an LGBTQ issue. Research shows lesbians are more likely to have experienced an unwanted pregnancy (at 39%) than heterosexual (27%) and bisexual (29%) peers.

—Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, whose administration and campaign targeted LGBTQ Americans with more than 200+ attacks in policy and rhetoric. Cameron reiterated that he was honored to receive the endorsement, even after Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll.

—The Office of Attorney General, which Cameron leads, is accused of harboring a toxic work environment and gender discrimination by an active-duty detective. Charges include employment discrimination, hostile work conditions, workers’ compensation retaliation, workplace violations including “immoral conduct,” “use of intoxicants off-duty,” and capturing “zoomed in” photos of a detective’s breast as well as “unprofessional and bullying behavior.”

—Joining other attorneys general in a lawsuit against the FDA over a policy prohibiting the discrimination against LGBTQ children regarding school lunch.

—Signed an inaccurate letter about Pride merchandise sold at Target. The letter baselessly claims the signatories are compelled to “enforce state laws protecting children.” No obscenity charges have been filed against Target, nor have any fiduciary complaints been reported.

—Campaigned with former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who has built a career spreading disinformation about transgender people, including falsely comparing being transgender with the racist caricature of white people wearing blackface. Gaines recently encouraged retaliation against libraries and library staff that refused to allow speakers to misgender people, a violation of library policy. A bomb threat later forced evacuation of the library and an elementary school.

—Mocked pronoun usage in a campaign event, claiming his opponent’s pronouns would soon be “‘has’ and ‘been.’” and criticized the governor for protecting “transgender surgeries for kids.” 

—Sued the Biden administration, along with 19 other attorneys general, claiming the anti-discrimination directive regarding student participation in school sports and bathroom and shower accommodations for transgender people infringe on state’s rights. 

—Baselessly tweeted: “Children should be free from the influence of radical gender ideology” in response to Target offering Pride merchandise. 

—Asked the city of Louisville to drop its appeal of a ruling that allowed a local photographer to refuse service to same-sex couples. Louisville’s Fairness Ordinance allows a person to file a discrimination complaint if they go into a restaurant, bar, or any public business and is denied service because they’re a member of the LGBTQ community. A photographer sued to be able to discriminate against same sex couples.