Transgender Candidate Disqualified in Ohio for Not Disclosing Deadname

In a surprising turn of events, an aspiring Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 50, Vanessa Joy, has been disqualified for violating a little-known state law.

The law requires candidates to disclose any name changes over the previous five years on their signature petitions.

Petition Disqualification: Despite Vanessa Joy successfully collecting the necessary signatures, local election officials deemed her ineligible due to her failure to disclose her former name, commonly referred to as a deadname. The law, enacted in 1995, has exceptions, but Joy’s situation did not fall within them.

Little-Known Law and Lack of Guidance: Vanessa Joy expressed her lack of awareness regarding the obscure Ohio law before her disqualification. The 2024 candidate requirement guide for Ohio makes no mention of this particular provision, leading to confusion among potential candidates.

Transgender Perspective: As a transgender woman, Vanessa Joy argued against the requirement, asserting that being forced to disclose her deadname contradicts the rights of transgender individuals. She emphasized that deadnames hold no relevance in the present lives of transgender individuals and should not be subjected to public disclosure.

Impact on Transgender Candidates: Joy believes that enforcing such a requirement could discourage other transgender individuals from running for public office. She highlighted the potential deterrent effect on the transgender community, emphasizing the importance of challenging such regulations.

Social Media Bans and LGBTQ Community Perspective: Using deadnames is considered offensive and hateful towards transgender individuals, with major social media platforms like TikTok and Discord banning such practices. Vanessa Joy’s disqualification raises questions about the sensitivity and relevance of enforcing laws that may infringe on the rights of transgender candidates.

Political Landscape and Potential Legislation: The timing of Vanessa Joy’s disqualification coincides with Ohio’s legislative developments, particularly the potential override of Governor Mike DeWine’s veto on House Bill 68. This legislation aims to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for minors and limit transgender athletes’ participation in school sports.

Transgender Candidates Resilience: Despite these challenges, Vanessa Joy remains resilient, emphasizing the importance of fighting against discriminatory policies. The disqualification has prompted concern about potential repercussions for other openly transgender candidates running for the state House in Ohio.

Vanessa Joy’s disqualification sheds light on the complexities surrounding the disclosure of deadnames and their implications for transgender candidates. As Ohio’s political landscape evolves, the intersection of transgender rights and electoral processes becomes a focal point of discussion and advocacy.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hill