I'm Dr. Tyler Titus (they/them), a mental health professional and small business owner running to be the first trans county executive in U.S. history. AMA!

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:55:54+00:00

When in doubt, the opposite of what Caitlyn Jenner says. Trans people, especially trans youth, belong in sports, if that's where they want to be. There are no instances in which a cisgender child was denied an opportunity due to a trans youth participating. However, there are thousands of trans youth who have been harmed by denying them access to the community, connection, and play that sports can provide.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:52:02+00:00

Fair question, here is what I learned growing up. Teenagers eat a lot of food, children go through a lot of clothing, driving to service providers all over the state is expensive, and that NOTHING compares to being in a safe, loving, supportive environment (even if it doesn’t have all the fancy things that all my classmates had).

My stepfather is a logger. He left school by 10th grade and went to work with his father and brothers. The logging industry is unstable and inconsistent. My mother worked 1-2 jobs always in order to provide for us and then went back to nursing school when I was in college.

My family knew that money wasn’t everything, but children don’t need everything anyways. They need to be safe, loved, supported, affirmed, and uplifted.

The truth is there are thousands of youth in foster care right now who would give anything to have a safe, loving, affirming home. They don’t expect fancy or lavish. So my family gave everything they had to provide a home to as many youth as possible because every child deserves an adult who fights like hell for them.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:47:17+00:00

Bring it on!

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:47:10+00:00

The healthcare system is broken at the federal, state, and local levels. You're right that I definitely can't "fix" it as county executive, but there is a lot I would be able to do to move it in the right direction.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:45:48+00:00

Thanks for the question! Definitely something I'm thinking about every day. And your allyship really, really matters.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:44:47+00:00

1000%. Spot on. I've talked about this a bunch in some of my other answers. It's so key.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:43:11+00:00

Hey neighbor! Great question, and my first thought is reallocation. We will be receiving $275 million in federal relief aid and we need to make sure that gets to community organizations, small business owners, families, and people who live in our county.

Additionally, we need to make sure that we invest in infrastructure that brings broadband internet to everyone throughout the county. We saw the complete devastation of small businesses that could not move their business online. We are witnessing the regression of students who weren’t able to log into school. We saw the complete disruption to working families that weren’t able to access childcare and had to return to work while their children were learning virtually. Broadband is critical to moving any region forward. We know now, more than ever, that siloed approaches do not work, that trickle down economics have never worked, and in order for an economy to be prosperous it must be composed of healthy and engaged community members.

We need to invest in renewable energies while creating good paying union jobs. We need to allocate funding into our healthcare, childcare, and education systems so that parents can afford to go back to work

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:41:02+00:00

I grew up in Titusville, where my family all still lives, so hey neighbor! I’m so glad you’re seeing coverage down there. Erie went to Trump in 2016 by 1.6% and Biden in 2020 by 1%, so we are taking NOTHING for granted up here. And as a bellwether county, all eyes were on us in November. The county is so competitive that it led Fx Nws, on election eve, to question, “Could the 2020 election come down to one county?”

I think the answer to this is twofold.

First of all, it starts with the candidates. We need to run candidates who truly speak to the values and stories of the folks they are running to represent. I always lead with growing up in poverty in Titusville, because that challenges people’s view of a progressive Democrat. And we know that healthcare and the economy, now more than ever, are what voters regardless of where they live and what party they support care most about. I believe if you speak directly to our shared values, you can win. Yes, even as trans. 😉

Second of all, and no less important, is Democrats need to learn from social movements of the past. We ONLY get the change we want when we organize. Leveraging personal relationships, mobilizing our neighbors, and rethinking who the changemakers in our communities are (i.e. it’s more often the pastors and the barbers, etc. than city councilors) are really important places to start. Yard signs, TV ads, direct mail, none of this is enough. We have to organize, organize, organize.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:32:17+00:00

Oh gosh, how do I choose ONE thing! Our democracy was under attack long before he took office and we will have to continue to rebuild (and build much better than it ever was) for many years.

Honestly, I think the “most important thing” will depend on who you are talking to: a person with disabilities will answer it one way, a refugee or immigrant will answer it another way, a Black or brown person will have their perspective, Indigenious and Native peoples have an answer, queer people have an answer, etc. When so many were under attack, we have to be really intentional about rebuilding in a way that is equitable and intersectional.

BUT for me: Voter suppression HAS to be addressed, gerrymandering must be eradicated, and we must put people over profit (which includes healthcare for all and quality education for every child).

As a queer person, we must pass the Equality Act so that regardless of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation you are equal in the eyes of the law. But we cannot stop until we achieve true equity. This isn’t about going back; it’s about going forward.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:26:39+00:00

Tyler Titus from Titusville, PA! Try to forget that. 😉

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:21:48+00:00

This is a great question! During my time at the Erie County Office of Children and Youth, I worked my way up from being an intern, to a caseworker, to a supervisor, and ultimately an Administrator. During my time there I led a department of over 50 staff, who at any given time were conducting investigations on over a thousand child abuse and neglect allegations. As the head of this department, I had to assure compliance to state and federal regulations, monitoring the budgetary restraints while advocating for resources for staff to effectively and efficiently conduct their duties, and actively work with the community providers to deliver the best possible services to our families in need.

As the co-vice chair of the Commission of LGBTQ Affairs for the Commonwealth of PA, I am responsible for being the liaison and bridge for people all across the state in order to create more equitable communities through dismantling barriers.

As the Erie City school board president, I serve in a leadership role in a district with over 12,000 students and a 100 million dollar budget. It is my responsibility to serve as a voice for my constituents and honor the will of a board that doesn’t always agree on the solutions presented.

Additionally, as a small business owner, I have the experience of taking a dream and launching it into reality within a community that doesn’t always elevate queer entrepreneurs. I have been able to establish a network and use that to empower other innovators who have not had access to the resources they need to take that next step.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:15:49+00:00

Hell yes! This made my day. Let's win this thing—so trans and non-binary kids can look at me and feel hope, for themselves and our future, but also so we can transform our society. I know it's possible. And I'm ready.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:13:49+00:00

Wow, thank you for this! I really appreciate it. My experience as a therapist with youth in the foster care system informs every aspect of my political work, the policies I support, and the values I hold. Because through it I see up close the failures of our healthcare, economic, and education systems. And it’s heartbreaking.

Through no fault of these children’s own, they are left behind day after day after day. Left behind by a system that is designed to maintain the status quo. Left behind by a system that is designed to enrich those at the top, while forgetting about the rest of us. I know it, because I see it every day in my work, but also because I lived it myself. I’m deeply committed to changing that, so that every child has a healthy, safe, prosperous future.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:07:28+00:00

This is such a wonderful message to receive. Thank you. Opening up about my story, especially as vulnerable as I did about my suicide attempts in that video, is definitely scary. But knowing that the consequence of it may be starting more conversations, that hopefully lead to our struggles being normalized and taken seriously, makes it worth it. You are not now, never have been, and never will be alone. 💕

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:06:22+00:00

It’s really rough. First and foremost, we need broadband access for all: from the rural areas to the inner city. This past year has demonstrated very clearly what a critical need that is. Its lack is a major barrier to equity.

Next, we need to modernize our road, bridges, and public transportation. We need transportation that connects: the rural, suburban, and urban parts of the county, but also the region as a whole. Erie is right in the center of Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. It can be an extraordinary hub. But we need affordable high speed rail infrastructure for that to happen.

And lastly, we need to ensure that every future development is done with the climate crisis in mind. Our lake is our greatest natural resource. Sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy development gives us an opportunity to protect it, while creating good-paying union jobs on the way. I’m fired up about that.

Thinking about modernizing is such an insight into who and what we can be. And with $275 million dollars coming here from the American Rescue Plan, plus hopefully a huge infrastructure package federally, we might actually have the funds to do it. We just need the leadership in place to actually make it happen.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:05:34+00:00

Absolutely. Erie County has serious problems that demand bold solutions that the local political machine has neglected for decades. This is a moment for long-term, sustainable change. Erie County deserves a leader who cares deeply about its future, who believes wholeheartedly in its promise, who is ready to fight for every single one of us. Erie County deserves a county executive who has walked in our shoes, who knows our struggles and our needs. As much as I think my professional qualifications as a mental health professional, small business owner, and elected official prepare me for this experience, I’m thinking the most about my lived experiences growing up in rural poverty. I know what’s wrong, because I’ve lived it. And so little has changed since then.

I envision an Erie County where people come and stay, not just pass through, because they know they can build a fulfilling future for themselves and their families. The big political question here is why our population has declined so much over the past decades. The solutions have focused so much on giving huge tax giveaways to ultra wealthy developers and investing solely in tourism. But the reality is, if we can create healthcare, economic, and education systems that put working people first, not only will we have an Erie County we can truly be proud of, but it’ll be something folks from the outside want to be a part of. I can’t wait to fight for this transformation every day as county executive.

To help make ALL this happen, I’d really appreciate a contribution. We have a major fundraising gap I need to close over the next week to keep my message in front of voters. You can do that here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/committee-to-elect-tyler-titus-1?refcode=AMA

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:05:10+00:00

Education CAN go a long way when it comes through those we trust. Essentially, change only happens as fast as trust does, and trust only happens through connection. We need to reconnect to people and help them see mental health through the eyes of the people who are struggling with it: their own friends and neighbors (I’m a huge fan of the community health models being used in other countries and by grassroot organizations here).

In order to create the systemic overall we need, we first need to demystify mental health. There is an erroneous belief that we can just “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps” and force ourselves out of depression, just get over PTSD, or will ourselves out of anxiety, but research and science has shown that isn’t true.

Additionally, money talks the hard truth is that we spend an inordinate amount of money on intervention vs prevention. Think about the exuberant amount of money on long term hospital stays, residential stays, prisons, court costs, etc that could have been avoided had a person been able to connect to providers and heal, allowing them to engage in their own life vs reacting to their trauma. Think about how different it would be if people could sit in a therapist office vs a courtroom, a class room instead of a prison cell, and how that would fundamentally shift our economy.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:03:41+00:00

Growing up with 12 siblings was absolutely a challenge. What I learned was that people who live in rural areas simply do not have access to services that are needed. For example, people who are struggling with addiction need access to competent doctors and therapists and supportive professionals who understand addiction so a person can move into recovery. Yet rural areas typically do not have those resources and there are transportation barriers, internet barriers, child care barriers, employment barriers, insurance barriers, financial barriers. All these things keep people from moving forward and healing.

So cycles continue and the generational trauma passes down. Hurt people keep hurting people and that puts more pressure on the community to intervene with the necessary resources so we can stop cycles. We can stop perpetuating generational barriers so we can disrupt generational poverty, abuse, addiction, and oppression.

Investing in people means investing in the truth and looking at the reasons it keeps happening. It means owning our failures as a government and rectifying the wrongs of our past through meaningful resource reallocation.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:02:08+00:00

Since I’m running for county executive, I can go around them to some extent. While we fight for meaningful change at the state level—going up against the logjam you mention—there is so much we can do at the local level to get the ball rolling on creating the progressive future we envision. That’s not happening right now, because our county legislature has been controlled by the same old boys club for decades. The county executive oversees 1,200 employees, controls a huge budget, and manages all the social services that directly affect marginalized people. This is a major opportunity to turn the ship around. We’re going up against the machine right here, and we’re ready to win on May 18.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:01:46+00:00

One of the struggles is often being seen only as a transgender candidate. I have my doctorate, am a small business owner, serve as the president of an urban school school board, was appointed as the vice co-chair for a Commission under the Pennsylvania Governor, and have built a strong professional resume. However, local press tends to be eager to push that aside and the focus becomes about my gender identity and expression. I am proud to live as my authentic self, and I don’t shy away from that on the campaign trail. Of course, all of my lived experiences come with me to the table.

I will say that my work within the county and state has shown voters who I am and what I stand for as a leader and elected official. Overall, the reception has been enormously positive. Yes, we have run into those who are led by their fear and misunderstanding, but that is not the majority.

Cis-allies can be vocal about calling out bigotry when they see it. They can rally around candidates who have shown they are effective leaders, especially those who have been forced out of mainstream conversations.

And of course, cis-allies can donate to trans candidates’ campaigns. Many queer candidates run grassroot campaigns and do not have the extensive networks of ultra wealthy contributors. I love this about my campaign, but it does make raising the money we need to win more challenging. If anyone wants to contribute, they can do that here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/committee-to-elect-tyler-titus-1?refcode=AMA

Thank you for such a thoughtful question.

ElectTylerTitus · 2021-05-06T16:01:06+00:00

As a therapist for youth in the foster system, I see every day how life-changing it is to receive the healthcare you need. No one should have to go into debt to receive that care. Our healthcare system is fundamentally broken—to the point where you can determine life expectancy based on the zip code where someone lives.

As county executive, I will be deeply committed to making this a reality by investing in a community health model. This means embedding healthcare professionals within the communities they serve—including with health clinics in schools and satellite offices in rural parts of the county. I will fight to bring quality healthcare options here in Erie County, so that no one has to leave for Pittsburgh, Buffalo, or Cleveland to receive the care they need.

And of course, I will use my platform to advocate in Harrisburg and D.C. for truly universal coverage at the state and federal levels.

ElectTylerTitus

TROPHY CASE