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Rep. Stansbury: “We Will Protect Our Transgender Kids and Defend Our Public Schools”

March 24, 2023

House Republicans jam legislation through the U.S. House of Representatives that undermines the safety of transgender and LGBTQ+ students and paves the way for book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools.

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), a member of the House Equality Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus leadership team, released the following statement after voting against a dangerous House Republican bill that would forcibly out transgender students and bring culture wars to the classroom:

“Today House Republicans forced a vote on a deeply dangerous bill that would endanger transgender and LGBTQ+ students and pave the way for censorship in the classroom. Modeled after bills passed at the state level, which have censored the teaching of American history, allowed book bans, and violated the safety and privacy of transgender and LGBTQ+ students—this disturbing and harmful bill is deeply out of touch with our values as New Mexicans and the well-being of our communities.

“In New Mexico, the people have spoken—having just passed a Constitutional Amendment last year to make the largest investment in early childhood education ever in our history, created a universal childcare and free college system, and passed legislation to protect gender-affirming care this legislative session. I am proud of our state and what we stand for. And, as an Albuquerque Public School graduate whose life was deeply impacted by our public schools and teachers—I will never stop fighting to protect our transgender kids and defend our public schools.”

Rep. Stansbury was the lead sponsor in the House of the Early Education Enhancement Act in the 117th Congress, which provided Congressional authorization and concurrence for New Mexico to make the nation’s largest investment in universal early childhood education ever in its history. Together with Senator Martin Heinrich and other Democratic members of New Mexico delegation, Rep. Stansbury championed the passage of this landmark legislation in the FY 23 Omnibus budget.  Rep. Stansbury has also championed education and youth opportunities across New Mexico’s First Congressional District, securing millions for community projectsincluding the state’s first Homelessness Youth Center in Albuquerque and programs to support youth development and employment.