Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recently named as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, is under fire from top Republicans for his legislative history supporting the rights of transgender minors and gender-affirming care. The backlash comes as the issue of transgender rights takes center stage in the 2024 presidential race, with former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, leading the charge against Walz’s policies.
Republican Criticism at Campaign Rally
At a campaign rally in Montana on Friday, Trump, the GOP’s presidential nominee, launched a scathing attack on Walz, accusing him of signing a law that allows the state to “kidnap children to change their gender so that they go home.” This claim refers to Minnesota’s gender-affirming care law, which has become a focal point of conservative criticism.
Senator JD Vance, during an interview on ABC News’ This Week that aired Sunday, echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating that the policy amounts to “kidnapping.” Vance’s spokesman, Luke Schroeder, reiterated the accusation in an email to Newsweek, asserting that the law allows for the loss of parental custody if a parent disagrees with their child’s pursuit of gender-affirming care.
Walz’s Legislative Record on Gender-Affirming Care
Governor Walz has been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and gender-affirming care throughout his tenure. In April 2023, he signed a groundbreaking Minnesota law aimed at protecting the rights of transgender minors to access and receive gender-affirming health care without interference from out-of-state laws. The legislation was part of a broader effort to establish Minnesota as a “Trans Refuge” state, offering sanctuary to individuals seeking gender-affirming care.
The law specifically prohibits the enforcement of court orders from other states that seek to remove a child from their parent or guardian solely because they assisted in providing gender-affirming care in Minnesota. Additionally, it prevents the extradition of individuals from other states who seek or provide legal gender-affirming care in Minnesota.
One of the more contentious aspects of the law is its provision granting Minnesota courts temporary emergency jurisdiction over cases where a child has been abandoned, their safety is at risk, or they are unable to obtain gender-affirming care. Critics argue that this could lead to situations where parental rights are overridden, a point that has been central to the Republican attacks.
Context and Implications
The Minnesota law was passed in response to a wave of anti-transgender legislation in other states, where access to gender-affirming care has been increasingly restricted. Governor Walz and his supporters argue that the law is essential for protecting vulnerable transgender youth from being denied necessary medical care due to their state’s restrictive laws.
However, the law has sparked a fierce political debate, with Republicans using it to galvanize their base by portraying it as an overreach that undermines parental rights. As the 2024 presidential campaign heats up, the issue of transgender rights and gender-affirming care is likely to remain a contentious and polarizing topic.