'State power as an apparatus of cruelty': MN Gov. proves his state sets standard for protecting trans rights

16 March 2023

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, is proud to lead a state that is setting the standard how to support and protect transgender rights, PBS reports.

The governor joined PBS News Hour to discuss his recent and notable executive order, which guarantees gender affirming care for Minnesotans.

Host Geoff Bennett asked Walz why he felt the executive order was "necessary" right now, considering "Minnesota is a Blue state."

He replied, "Our trans neighbors, our children are feeling the pressure. You see states that are using state power as an apparatus of cruelty quite honestly, and we know that these are communities that are always under risk; we know they have some of the highest suicide rates and attacks of hate-crimes."

Walz also emphasized, through the executive order, the state is "making it clear" that "if you come to Minnesota, we will protect your rights," unlike other states "trying to take away basic, and in many cases, life-saving healthcare."

The governor added other states are "making life difficult for people," by "quite frankly trying to criminalize people for being who they are." He reiterated, "that's not going to happen in Minnesota."

Furthermore, Walz's executive order not only protects trans rights, but it also restores voting rights for felons, allows undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses, and enacts gun legislation.

Additionally, while Minnesota GOP lawmakers continue to argue over whether kids deserve free school lunches, Walz — who is a "school teacher by trade" — recently signed legislation into law making "school lunch free for all students," according to Keloland News.

Watch the video below or at this link.

Minnesota governor says his state is national model for transgender rightsyoutu.be

PBS' full report is available at this link. Keloland News' report is here.

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