At the Capitol, many Minnesotans gathered to celebrate Trans Visibility Day and applaud the state’s reputation for protecting the trans community. Activists also acknowledged, however, that Minnesota still has a long way to go to fully support the LGBTQ community.
About a year after state legislators passed and Governor Tim Walz signed a bill protecting those who seek or provide gender-affirming care, transgender activists and elected officials gathered on Wednesday. Despite this step, Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL- St. Paul, said this legislative session has been particularly challenging in many ways.
“It’s much more difficult for us to ensure that this vulnerable community continues to have our assistance,” said Finke, Minnesota’s first openly transgender senator.
Democrats are also facing criticism. They held a press conference this week to oppose a change to the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which, without granting an exemption to religious institutions, protected transgender people from identity-based prejudice.
Republicans called the legislation an “unprecedented harm” to spiritual freedom. Religious leaders from committee hearings argued for granting faith-based organizations a legal provision, including Christians, Lutherans, Jews, and Muslims.
Finke emphasized that the work is ongoing. “We have not finished the work by passing the trans refuge bill. We have made it clear that we will always take good care of you.”
Finke is introducing several bills this session to help LGBTQ Minnesotans, including one that would forbid schools from enacting a ban on pride colors.
“It’s so empowering to be trans,” Finke said. “The people in this building want to suggest that we are anything but empowering. I just want you to know that they’re wrong.”
According to health policy think tank KFF, 24 states have historically limited or prohibited gender-affirming treatment for minors. According to the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, gender-affirming care is the best course of action for transgender people in the United States.
Rep. Leigh Finke spoke at a protest celebrating trans presence day at the state Capitol on March 27, 2024. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer.To assist LGBTQ individuals, including those who move to Minnesota and seek gender-affirming care, Finke is proposing a bill this year that would allocate $1 million to a fund. Additionally, she has introduced a bill that would require Minnesotan health insurers to cover gender-affirming care.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, assured the audience on Wednesday that Minnesota supports the transgender community and will continue to do so.
“Minnesota is a place where you can be who you are and be there openly, safely, and completely,” Murphy said.
Kat Rohn, executive producer of OutFront Minnesota, said Minnesota is leading the nation in making the U.S. a more inviting place for transgender individuals.
“As challenging as things may be here in Minnesota and throughout the wider world around us,” Rohn said, “I’m reminded… that change is happening.” “Minnesota is altering the nationwide narrative regarding LGBTQ rights. I believe that ultimately, and we’re going to keep doing that.”
