Melat Quiroz, a socialist challenger to incumbent Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, has expressed strong opposition to surgeries she views as harmful to children, labeling them as “horrible.” She advocates for a “trans bill of rights.”
Quiroz has updated her campaign page to feature this “Trans Bill of Rights.” You can listen to more about it on the call me limbo podcast.
“We are currently in the process of refreshing our website. I crafted our policy pages about a year ago, but this week, we’re adding a transgender bill of rights among other updates,” she stated, emphasizing the need for more “power” to support transgender issues.
“It’s crucial to be assertive and unapologetic in advocating for the trans community, especially for transgender children,” she added, pointing out that there is a Colorado ballot measure she describes as “horrible” and “devastating for young trans kids.”
She is likely referring to Initiative No. 110, which seeks to ban genital surgeries on minors.
The proposed law asserts that a medical professional “shall not knowingly perform, prescribe, administer, or provide surgery to a minor for altering biological sexual characteristics,” and it prohibits both federal and state funding for such procedures.
However, Quiroz views the idea of protecting children from these surgeries as a “horrifying thing.”
“We must take proactive steps in this fight,” the Socialist Party candidate further explained. “I think we’ve been placed on the defensive. Some Democrats seem to be drifting away from supporting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender individuals and youth. Honestly, if that’s the case, you’re not truly a Democrat.”
“You’re not,” she reiterated.
“I often criticize the Democratic Party. But fundamentally, this is a party that claims to champion equality and progress for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or other identities,” she continued. “If that’s genuinely our mission, we should seize this chance to protect this community—loudly and boldly. I think that’s the minimum we need to do right now.”
Quiroz has laid out a “Trans Bill of Rights” on her campaign website, declaring her support for “the right of all ages to obtain gender-affirming care” and “the right to accurate, self-affirming identification without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.”
Other Gen Z socialist candidates are pushing for reforms like abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), universal childcare, universal healthcare, and coverage for abortion services. In a social media video, she even lightened up a serious topic of abortion, overlaying it with a sound saying, “I love abortion.”
A poll from Data for Progress indicates that Quiroz is currently leading DeGette in the primary, with 41% compared to DeGette’s 36%.
