Statement from State Representative and Mayoral Candidate Emma Mulvaney-Stanak:
“My heart is with the family and friends of Nex Benedict, a non-binary Oklahoma teen who tragically passed away after being attacked in the bathroom at their school. Nex deserved to live a full and happy life as their authentic self. All trans youth deserve the opportunity to live and love freely, without fearing for their safety.
“Oklahoma recently passed harmful, anti-trans legislation requiring Oklahomans to use the bathroom that matches the sex listed on their birth certificate. According to the ACLU, there are 442 similar anti-LGBTQ bills being discussed in legislatures across the country, including two right here in Vermont.
“Queer and trans folks have existed forever and we’re not going anywhere. 35% of students in Burlington schools identified as LGBTQ+. The City of Burlington and all Burlingtonians must lean in to create a community that is safe for all people, especially our children. This includes finally adequately addressing an ongoing harmful pattern of transphobic stickering in and around the New North End for the last few years. The City has struggled to prioritize addressing the harm of these stickers.
“As an out queer lesbian, whose child has been bullied in Burlington schools for having queer parents, and as an active ally to other marginalized groups, I know that we have to stand up to all forms of hate in our community. We must do better, including proactively partnering with our school district and youth service organizations to better support students experiencing discrimination based on marginalized identities including homophobia, transphobia, racism in all its forms, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and more in our schools and community.
“As Mayor, community safety will be my top priority. This includes consciously and tirelessly working toward an inclusive community where folks with marginalized identities know they belong and can live joyfully.”
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