"Transgender Candidate Disqualified from Ohio House Race Over Name Disclosure Issue"

Vanessa Joy, a transgender woman running for a seat in the Ohio House, was disqualified for not disclosing her former name on her candidacy petitions, as required by a rarely enforced Ohio law. Joy argues that this requirement is discriminatory and could deter other transgender individuals from seeking office. The enforcement of this law coincides with Ohio's legislative moves to restrict transgender rights, including an expected vote to override the governor's veto of a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors and restricting transgender athletes in school sports.