A law requiring deadname disclosure backfires as GOP candidate faces disqualification.
The Context
Over the last few months, a few different conservative-run states have enacted new laws targeting transgender people and their rights to both freedom and bodily autonomy.
A Look at Ohio
In Ohio, one such law was written in order to make it more difficult for transgender politicians and political candidates. Four total transgender politicians are running for seats in the Ohio state Senate and House of Representatives.
Why They’re Running
The transgender candidates have made it clear that a huge reason they are running for office is to combat the startling rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Ohio.
The Details
The law requires political candidates who have changed their name within the last five years to list any and all changes in order to run for office. The law is not enforced for people who have changed their name for marriage.
The Target
But, it does seemingly target transgender people who have changed their names on their transition journey. In plain terms, transgender people need to list their dead names when running for office.
The Affected Parties
The law has already left its mark, affecting transgender political candidates Bobbie Arnold in Preble County and Arienne Childrey in Auglaize County. Both candidates were approved to run for the Ohio House of Representatives.
A Barrier to Entry
Transgender politician Vanessa Joy was not so lucky and was disqualified from the race. Vanessa Joy spoke to NBC in response to her public disqualification, saying, “It’s a barrier to entry for many trans and gender-non-conforming people.”
Biting the Bullet
Joy continued, “Where I personally would have just bit the bullet and allowed my deadname to be on the petitions and likely on the ballot, for a lot of trans people, they don’t want their deadnames printed. It’s a safety concern for many”.
Early Celebration
For a bit, the conservatives who championed the law could celebrate their success as it prohibited a transgender person from running for office.
A Change in Tide
But now, it seems to be affecting Republican politicians as well, which was never part of the plan.
Tex Fischer Caught in Crossfire
Austin James Fischer legally changed his name to Austin James Texford Fischer in 2020 and goes by Tex Fischer. Running as a Republican under the name Tex Fischer may no longer be possible for the ambitious politician.
Combating the Inequality
Tex’s lack of opposition about his previous name change did not sit right with the chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, Chris Anderson. Anderson quickly filed a complaint with Ohio election officials due to Tex’s lack of disclosure.
Across the Board
Anderson spoke to cleveland.com, saying, “If they’re going to use the law to penalize trans candidates, then it needs to be applied equally.”
Does the Law Apply?
Continuing, “At the end of the day, I don’t care what he calls himself. My question is: does the law apply? Because if the law applies, then it needs to be applied equally.”
“Fundamentally Undemocratic”
Apparently not understanding the irony of his statement, Tex Fischer said it would be “fundamentally undemocratic to try [to] deprive the voters of a choice on a technicality.”
Fischer’s Claims
Instead of turning his attention to his own political party that passed the legislation, Fischer claims the issue is due to sabotage from the Democratic party.
Democratic Playbook
Fischer responded, saying, “That has unfortunately become [the] Democrat Party playbook: if you don’t like someone, just try to kick them off the ballot. It’s a silly complaint and I have faith the process will play out and we’ll be good to go for November”.
Ohio Governor Weighs In
Shockingly, the Republican Governor Mike DeWine does not support the legislation mandating that political candidates list their deadnames.
Time to Address the Legislation
When interviewed by cleveland.com and Huff Post, DeWine said that the legislation should not disqualify candidates from office and believes that the board of elections needs to address this inconsistency.
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