As states ban gender-affirming care, Minnesota aims to be a refuge for trans youth
As many states look to restrict gender-affirming care, state legislator Leigh Finke is leading legislation to make Minnesota a "trans refuge state."
Across the U.S., lawmakers are pushing for restrictions on transgender youth’s right to gender-affirming care — despite continuing evidence that such care comes with major benefits, particularly for trans people’s mental health. Just this year, state legislatures in 46 states have introduced almost 500 “anti-trans” bills, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker.
In this climate, Minnesota is looking to establish itself as a “trans refuge state” — an effort led by state Rep. Leigh Finke, the first trans person in Minnesota’s state government. In January, Finke introduced legislation to proactively protect trans youth who live in her state, as well as people who may travel to Minnesota seeking gender-affirming care they can’t get at home. The Minnesota House of Representatives recently passed the bill, which is now with the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Governor Tim Walz, who has already signed a symbolic executive order in support of gender-affirming care, has said he will sign the bill.
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