“This could be a snowball if I’m just the start of it. This is horrible news for the trans community.”

Vanessa Joy, one of four transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio, regarding her disqualification from a House race because she omitted her previous name. A little-known 1990s state law requires candidates to provide any name changes within the last five years to qualify for the ballot. For many transgender people, providing their former name, which the community calls their dead name, could create a barrier due to concerns about personal safety. Joy appealed her disqualification. (Associated Press — Jan. 4, 2024)