Walz Celebrates Democratic Efforts for LGBTQ+ Rights, Supports Harris’ Vision

During a recent event in Washington, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Speaking to an enthusiastic audience at the Human Rights Campaign’s national dinner, he expressed his belief that Harris would continue to protect and promote the rights of the LGBTQ+ community if she is elected president.

Walz, who has been nominated as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, was met with a warm welcome as he entered the ballroom filled with 3,500 supporters while John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” played. He described the Human Rights Campaign as “the best party in the nation,” highlighting its significance to LGBTQ+ advocacy.

In his speech, Walz pointed out the collaborative efforts of Harris and President Joe Biden, particularly regarding executive orders aimed at safeguarding LGBTQ+ rights across various sectors such as healthcare, education, and the military. He emphasized Harris’s unwavering belief in equal justice under the law, stating, “It is not to be debated. It’s not that difficult.”

Concerns for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for transgender individuals, have intensified as many Republican-led states have implemented strict laws that curtail their rights. In light of these developments, the Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. last year, citing an alarming trend in state legislation. Former President Donald Trump has indicated he would endorse similar regulations on a federal level if he were to secure a second term in office.

After Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and threw his support behind Harris, the Human Rights Campaign quickly followed suit, endorsing her candidacy. The organization also lauded Walz’s selection as Harris’s running mate, noting his history of advocating for youth and supporting same-sex marriage.

Walz recounted his own experiences as a high school social studies teacher and football coach in Minnesota during the 1990s. He shared a moment when a student approached him about becoming the faculty advisor for the Gay-Straight Alliance, illustrating his history of support for LGBTQ+ youth.

He articulated many of Harris’s accomplishments in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, recounting a specific instance when, as California’s attorney general, she intervened when a clerk in Los Angeles refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Walz remembered Harris instructing the clerk to begin issuing the licenses promptly, remarking, “Have a good day. It’s going to be a fun one.”

As he rallied the crowd to support Harris’s candidacy, Walz painted a stark picture of what a second Trump term might entail. He described Trump’s proposed policies as threats to freedom, suggesting they would target the LGBTQ+ community and marginalize vulnerable children. Trump’s recent campaign of attacking transgender rights has marked a notable shift since he previously called for protecting LGBTQ+ individuals during the 2016 Republican National Convention.

According to Trump’s policy proposals, he aims to impose restrictions on public schools concerning discussions around gender transition and remove federal funding from institutions that teach what he labels “radical gender ideology.” He has also suggested that healthcare professionals who provide gender-affirming care to minors could face penalties by losing access to Medicare and Medicaid.

Trump’s rhetoric has been particularly contentious, including statements targeting Olympic champion boxer Imane Khelif, whom he incorrectly identified as transgender, claiming she had advantages over her competitors. These remarks extend to sensational claims about gender-affirming surgeries happening in schools, which are largely unfounded.

At a recent national summit for the group Moms for Liberty, Trump reiterated his assertions that children could unexpectedly undergo surgeries soon after attending school. However, medical professionals emphasize that such surgeries are rare and not indicative of widespread practices among school-aged youth.

When pressed for evidence supporting his claims, a representative from Trump’s campaign could not provide substantiation but referenced policies in some K-12 schools that prevent teachers from disclosing a student’s gender identity preferences to parents.

The spokesperson remarked, “President Trump will ensure all Americans are treated equally under the law regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation,” clarifying that he is against what they term “permanent gender mutilation surgeries” for minors.