>>1253383>>1253388I'll do it
A transgender candidate for the Ohio House has been disqualified because she only circulated petitions with her legal name, instead of her former name — and it has put multiple other LGBTQ+ candidates in flux.
Vanessa Joy reached out to Statehouse reporter Morgan Trau to share her situation. She was supposed to be a Democratic candidate for House District 50, covering Stark County, and she collected all the signatures she needed to run.
on petitions
A transgender candidate for the Ohio House has been disqualified because she only circulated petitions with her legal name, instead of her former name.
Vanessa Joy
By: Morgan TrauPosted at 6:27 PM, Jan 03, 2024 and last updated 6:47 AM, Jan 04, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A transgender candidate for the Ohio House has been disqualified because she only circulated petitions with her legal name, instead of her former name — and it has put multiple other LGBTQ+ candidates in flux.
Vanessa Joy reached out to Statehouse reporter Morgan Trau to share her situation. She was supposed to be a Democratic candidate for House District 50, covering Stark County, and she collected all the signatures she needed to run.
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news5cleveland.com"The only thing that we can do is try to fight back and that's why that's why there are so many trans candidates in Ohio," Joy said.
She is a trans woman, one of the at least four running for state representative. Each is running to fight against the growing number of anti-trans legislation.
Joy is also the stepdaughter of state Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield), but the two do not have a relationship and have never met. Although the Republican hasn't sponsored or cosponsored legislation impacting the trans community, he has voted in favor of legislation banning trans youth from having gender-affirming care and participating in athletics. He is one of the Republicans she wants to fight back against.
But she just learned she won't be on the ballot.
