"Transgender Ohio Candidate Appeals Disqualification Over Name Disclosure"

Vanessa Joy, a transgender woman and Democratic candidate for the Ohio House, was disqualified from the ballot for not including her former name as required by a 1990s Ohio law, which she was unaware of due to its absence on the Secretary of State's website. This incident highlights potential barriers for transgender individuals seeking office, as disclosing a deadname can pose safety concerns and personal discomfort. Joy has appealed the decision and is seeking to change the law, amidst a backdrop of increasing anti-transgender legislation in various states.