Rebecca Dow, a house representative from New Mexico, has expressed concerns over a law that prevents teachers and state employees from sharing information about children's dysphoria with parents. She said on X that the law should be amended to restore parental rights.
"Follow the science they say," said Rebecca L. Dow, New Mexico State Representative for 38th District (R). "Instead NM progressives passed a law blocking teacher and state employees from sharing critical information about children's dysphoria with their parents. It will take an amendment to the law to remove that wedge between parents and their children. Vote red!"
In 2025, New Mexico lawmakers considered bills such as HB466, which would require schools and health providers to notify parents within seven days if a child undertakes any "gender-affirming action." Critics, including legislative analysts, warned that the measure could conflict with counseling best practices and privacy protections. Supporters argued it strengthened parental rights. The debate reflects broader national conflicts over parental notification and children’s gender dysphoria.
According to the Movement Advancement Project, currently six U.S. states require schools to automatically notify parents if students identify as transgender in certain ways, while two others mandate disclosure if parents inquire. These laws are often described as "forced outing" policies and have been enacted despite strong opposition from medical associations warning of potential harm to LGBTQ youth.
Research from The Trevor Project shows that LGBTQ youth in schools with anti-LGBTQ policies, including parental notification mandates, experience significantly worse mental health outcomes. Students in such environments reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts compared with peers in schools without these policies, alongside greater harassment and fewer support systems.
Dow is a Republican from Truth or Consequences who has represented New Mexico’s 38th House District since 2017. She returned in 2025 after a gubernatorial run in 2022. She previously founded a nonprofit focused on early childhood development and has advanced conservative stances on taxation, regulation, and social policy.
