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Charmaine McGuffey, the first female major in Ohio's Hamilton County Sheriff Department, is poised to replace her old boss Sheriff Jim Neil as she campaigns to become Ohio's first sheriff to be female and part of the LGBTQ+ community.
McGuffey who was fired by Neil claims the termination was due to her sexual identity. She is boldly putting her discriminatory experiences as a lesbian law enforcement professional in the spotlight of her campaign.
In her campaign ad she addresses these issues showing the homophobia she has overcome, including she says, from her former boss Neil, while still working towards reform, rehabilitation, and taking the county jail from worst to best ranked in only three years.
The video starts showing a re-enactment of McGuffey walking into a bathroom to a homophobic slur written on the cubicle door.
As a gay woman working in law enforcement, I know what it's like to be targeted for who I am. I've seen justice and I've seen injustice. And I know we can do better. That's why I'm running for Sheriff. Watch my story and help me win:https://t.co/ktxvqiSuaO pic.twitter.com/aqpwO3trS2
— Charmaine McGuffey (@CharmMcGuffey) October 15, 2020
McGuffey narrated:
"I've never been an insider, I wasn't just a woman working in law enforcement. I was a gay woman — that made me a target, a threat. But overcoming the impossible, well, that's what I've done my entire life."
She also pointed to her experience working with Sheriff Neil saying:
"His way [of law enforcement was] excessive force, harassment, and zero accountability,"
…adding…
"When I stood up I was told to go with the flow. I refused to stand by silently and ultimately, it cost me my job."
Twitter applauded the video.
Great ad!!👌👏👏👏👏 You don't just talk about what you can do, you can prove what you have done. I wish you much success with your appointment as Sheriff. No one should be targeted for their sexual orientation. Change the trend to change the world! 💪
— Mishelly (@Michell49258949) October 15, 2020
@chelseahandler a true leader, inspiring public servant needs our support! What a great ad and truly a remarkable career
— Patricia (@Boo1624) October 15, 2020
Great ad. Really great!
— Jens G Rosenkrantz J (@jgr_images) October 15, 2020
We need law enforcement with empathy, so I'm sending a donation to your campaign. Good luck!
— Karfrnd (@karfrnd) October 15, 2020
I'd vote for you in a heartbeat! Sending best wishes & a donation from Sonoma County, California. Good luck!
— Teresa Book (@teresabook2) October 15, 2020
Back in spring McGuffey won in the primaries over her conservative former boss by an overwhelming margin of 70%-30% and people were celebrating for her.
I can't thank everyone enough for your support, endorsements and your vote! You helped make history happen! On to November. #mcguffeyforsheriff #votemcguffey2020 pic.twitter.com/7IglgMJWNf
— Charmaine McGuffey (@CharmMcGuffey) April 29, 2020
I can't thank everyone enough for your support, endorsements and your vote! You helped make history happen! On to November. #mcguffeyforsheriff #votemcguffey2020 pic.twitter.com/7IglgMJWNf
— Charmaine McGuffey (@CharmMcGuffey) April 29, 2020
Congrats on your terrific victory, nice to see the right side come out on top! Hopefully we'll see a repeat to this in November.
— John Spaulding (@JSpauldingPhoto) May 4, 2020
Can't tell you how happy your story makes me. Congratulations. Good luck in Nov. We are all behind you.
— Mark watson (@Marko6241993) May 14, 2020
haha. Best of luck to you Officer McGuffey! Good job showing that bigot the door---I hope you win in November!!
— Anne McKinney (@purplealice1210) May 2, 2020
Overall social media has been rooting for the sheriff hopeful.
Dont live in Ohio but sending you a few bucks Hope you win.
— Patrick Holway (@patrickholway) October 15, 2020
Can't tell you how happy your story makes me. Congratulations. Good luck in Nov. We are all behind you.
— Mark watson (@Marko6241993) May 14, 2020
I'm also a gay female in law enforcement and I identify with your struggle! Thank you for trailblazing in the face of homophobia and mysogyny! Respect to you and stay safe sister 💙🏳️🌈👏🏼
— R O O N E Y ❤ (@Lizbian21) October 15, 2020
Proud to see Cincinnati stepping into the 21st century. My former hometown is ready for someone like you. Good luck and thanks for standing up for all of us.
— Stephanie Is Mad She can't use her spooky name (@40wattbulb) October 18, 2020
She's my next sheriff! Already voted!
— Sneakymxr Michelle (@sneakymxr) October 15, 2020
What a fabulous, inspiring woman. Good luck Charmaine, we need thousands more like you.
— Jillian Cox (@Jilcox65) October 15, 2020
While incumbent Sheriff Neil claims McGuffey was fired for creating a "hostile work environment" and being a bully, Charmaine McGuffey filed a lawsuit in March against Neil for firing her because of her sexuality. Best of luck in November McGuffey!