Nebraska Candidate Denise Powell’s Stance on Transgender Rights Sparks Debate

Nebraska Democratic congressional nominee Denise Powell opposed the state’s 2023 legislation that restricts gender transition procedures for minors. She criticized the law, calling it discriminatory and urged the public to contact lawmakers. This opposition has generated criticism, as revealed through social media posts.

Before her nomination, Powell posted her views on Facebook and TikTok against LB 574, known as the ‘Let Them Grow Act.’ This law prohibits gender transition procedures for minors and regulates puberty blockers and hormone treatments for those under 19.

“Today is the final day of the first round of floor debate on LB 574, a bill that would prohibit and punish healthcare providers from providing gender-affirming care to children under the age of 19,” Powell wrote in a March 2023 Facebook post.

Powell was listed as an administrator on The Bellwether Initiative Nebraska page. She encouraged Nebraskans to contact their state senators and join her at the Capitol in protest, wearing shirts that read “PROTECT TRANS KIDS.” Powell urged Nebraska to set an example against what she described as discriminatory laws passing in various states such as Iowa and Tennessee.

She expressed support for lawmakers opposing the bill and encouraged her followers to engage with their senators. In her message, she reinforced that transgender individuals belong in Nebraska and beyond, emphasizing the fight for their rights.

On TikTok, using the username “dbpinomaha,” Powell shared a video opposing the legislation. On February 8, 2023, she expressed her frustration with the bill, showing visuals of democracy and protesters with signs that read “Trans Nebraskans Belong.”

Powell participated in protests, which included holding a sign herself. She captioned a separate TikTok with “LB 574 hurt kids” and urged viewers to call their senators.

In another TikTok post on March 31, 2023, she shared footage of student walkouts in Omaha and Lincoln, writing about their support for transgender youth.

The Nebraska Legislature passed LB 574 by a vote of 33-15, and Governor Jim Pillen signed it into law. A Nebraska First PAC poll indicated that a majority of likely voters supported prohibiting gender-altering procedures for minors.

A subsequent attempt to expand the law failed, which would have included a ban on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for those under 19.

“NE-2 is a swing district known for electing moderates, but Denise Powell is about as radical as it gets,” said Jon Schweppe, former Trump official at the FTC.

Critics highlighted Powell’s past advocacy and board membership in organizations opposing parental rights in education and promoting LGBTQ-focused curriculums. Zach Bannon from the NRCC described her as backing extreme policies and rejecting common sense.

Powell is challenging Republican Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding for the 2nd Congressional District. Democrats aim to flip this seat while Republicans work to maintain their slim majority in the House.

According to her campaign, Powell’s priorities include lowering costs, protecting healthcare access, supporting workers, and opposing President Trump’s policies. Her campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Andrew Mark Miller, a reporter at Fox News, can be found on Twitter @andymarkmiller or contacted for tips via email.