More transgender candidates face challenges running for office in Ohio for omitting their deadname

[KatieSC]

Hello all,

 

I noticed this article posted from AP News: https://apnews.com/article/transgender-candidates-ohio-disqualification-deadname-a25640832dcebc05c53930bba41b1a5e

 

This has me very concerned. If you look at the types of legislation that have been enacted around the country, there is a coordinated effort to restrict transition, as well as reduce availability of care to transgender individuals, deny transgender individuals a change of gender marker, deny the ability to amend one's birth certificate, and create significant barriers to our everyday function. While the intent of these identity laws may be to prevent someone from frivolously changing their name for an election, the fact that transgender individuals were involved will likely result in further attention and action by the Republican Party. Do not be surprised if there is an attempt to extend this law nationally, or have new legislation that targets the ability of transgender individuals to change their name. Obviously, it may be nearly impossible to pass the legislation, but if there is one thing we know, the Republicans will stop at nothing to erase our very existence.

 

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Two choices - work to change the law, or candidates should do their homework and plan ahead to get around the barrier.  As they say, "knowing is half the battle."

[KatieSC]

Yeah, it will be interesting. Now last night before I turned in a really odd twist, I see an article, Ohio governor defends trans candidates & tells election officials to stop kicking them off ballots.

 

See link: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/01/ohio-governor-defends-trans-candidates-tells-election-officials-to-stop-kicking-them-off-ballots/

 

This guy does not cease to amaze. 

[Ivy]

"

“It’s a whole other level to not even give voters the chance to vote for an LGBTQ candidate; it’s a new low that I don’t think we’ve seen yet,” Meloy said."

 

One thing that bothers me about this, is that they are using a law, that practically nobody is aware of, and is not mentioned in the instructions or even has a place to fill it in on the form.  "You thought you had rights?  Think again."

 

When I changed my name, I had to disclose any "alias" I have used in the past.  I can see this.  I also had to post my intention publicly.  There was a provision to not have to do this (publicly) but they refused to let me use it.  It was a bit intimidating.  I was out publicly, me being trans was no secret.  But publishing the name change would put me on the radar for bad actors that were unaware of my existence up to that point.  For them, that was no concern.

 

The GOP is not interested in democracy.  They play games to get their way and stay in power.  (I'm not saying the Democrats wouldn't do the same with the shoe on the other foot)  Once the politicians get in power they make the rules to keep themselves in power.  Screw the people.

[Davie]

This seems counter to the "equal protection" clause of the US Constitution. To real humans it's called fairness. To MAGA Maniacs it's compulsive hatred.

[Davie]

Time to get rid of the term "Sex" on birth certificates. Just type the word "Sex" into search and watch how much bureaucratic paperwork pops up.

[Ivy]

A bit more on this…

 

https://jezebel.com/3-trans-congressional-candidates-are-being-forced-to-ch-1851163820

 

3 Trans Congressional Candidates Are Being Forced to Challenge an Archaic Ohio Statute

 

“The entire reason I ran—and the reason why other trans people are running right now—is because we are faced with genocide,” Joy said. “We’re terrified, and the only thing that we can do is fight for ourselves because we can’t count on other people to fight for us.”

 

And…

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/18/arienne-childrey-transgender-ohio-candidate-facing-disqualification-cleared?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1

 

Ohio trans candidate threatened with disqualification cleared to run in house race

 

"But the Republican governor, Mike DeWine, said on Tuesday that the law should be amended and county boards should stop disqualifying trans candidates on these grounds."

 

DeWine doesn't seem to be able to make up his mind.

[Carolyn Marie]

I think DeWine realizes that the law would never withstand a lawsuit, so he's playing it safe.  It's funny how they made a big deal of the law, but somehow found a way to ignore it when it became widely known and ridiculed.

 

Carolyn Marie