LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Trans Candidates Facing Ballot Challenges, Governor Signs Executive Order Banning Trans Care

Anti-trans actions are taking place in Ohio. Last week, the state selectively enforced little-known laws to force trans candidates off the ballot, while the Governor plays political games with gender-affirming healthcare access. Here’s the latest:

The anti-equality majority in the Ohio state house has been working to pass a slate of anti-trans legislation. The bills – which would both ban gender-affirming care for trans kids and sports participation for trans youth – were initially vetoed by Governor Mike DeWine. The House, however, has officially overridden the Governor’s veto.

But do not mistake DeWine as a friend of the trans community. In the interim between the veto and the override, DeWine issued an executive order banning gender-affirming care for people of any age, going well-beyond the proposed laws (and he leaned on anti-choice laws to do it!)

In response to laws like these, more trans people are stepping up to have a voice in government. But they are facing unprecedented barriers against their campaigns. One trans candidate in Ohio (Vanessa Joy) has been kicked off the ballot (her challenge is pending), while two more face after-the-fact-reviews of their campaigns. The logic? They hadn’t informed the state of their ‘deadnames’ while filing to run. But here’s the rub: the state has never enforced this law – nor does the state ask about previous names on the filing or list the rule in the candidate requirement guidelines.

As Vice President of Political Programs Sean Meloy pointed out in interviews with The New York Times, the Associated Press and The Guardian, among others, this is selective enforcement of the law, deliberately used to force trans candidates off the ballot.

In response to bigoted laws, more and more trans candidates are stepping up to run for office across the country – and they are winning. The selective enforcement of this law makes it clear that bigots will do anything to keep them off the ballot, even if it means digging through the rulebooks to find standards other candidates did not have to abide by. This is another wave of anti-trans action to keep trans people from holding public office.  

Mondaire Jones’ Latest Fundraising Haul

Politico reports that Mondaire Jones raised $1 million last quarter (after raising another 1.15 million the previously quarter). Mondaire has cleared the primary field, all but ensuring he’ll be taking on incumbent U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler in this battleground House race.

WATCH: Mark Gonzalez’s New Campaign Ad!

Victory Fund endorsed candidate Mark Gonzalez, running for the California State Assembly, just released his latest campaign ad! Watch the full spot here.

BONUS ROUND: ENDORSEMENTS GALORE!

Evan Low, running for California’s 16th U.S. House district, announced a slate of 20 endorsements!

Two new endorsements for Sarah McBride, running for Delaware’s at-large House seat: the U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus and Elect Democratic Women are standing with her!

Elect Democratic Women also issued an endorsement for Julie Johnson in TX-32. Julie has also been hard at work knocking doors and getting out the vote!

Our candidate for U.S. House district WA-06, Emily Randall, announced endorsements from The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the South Kitsap Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2876 and Alfie Alvarado Ramos, Former WA Director of Veterans Affairs!

In her race for the California State Senate, Sabrina Cervantes announced that Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest is endorsing her campaign!

Clarissa Cervantes, running for the California State Assembly, announced a series of endorsements from the National Union of Healthcare Workers, HONOR PAC, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assembly Speaker Designate Robert Rivas!