Vice President Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, brings a significant history to the Democratic ticket that may energize the left-wing base alongside various progressive transgender policies directed at youth.
Walz, a former Army National Guardsman and educator, was among the first governors to enact legislation making Minnesota a “sanctuary state” for minors seeking transgender surgical procedures and hormone prescriptions. This initiative laid the foundation for several of his more liberal LGBTQ policies.
The law instructs Minnesota courts to disregard prosecutions from other states regarding individuals who travel to Minnesota for treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeries. Prior to the enactment of this law, Walz had already issued an order in May 2023 to prevent the criminalization of transgender procedures within the state.
MEET KAMALA HARRIS’ RUNNING MATE WHO LABELLED REPUBLICANS ‘WEIRD PEOPLE’
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
As states like Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota tighten restrictions on medical providers for transgender medical treatments for children, Minnesota’s sanctuary law has positioned the state as a vital location for such services.
Reports indicate that many individuals and families have relocated from more conservative states to Minnesota. Currently, 26 states impose limitations on doctors providing gender-affirming treatments to minors, with New Hampshire recently joining this group.
Walz also enacted a controversial law prohibiting the removal of books that contain explicit content for children from public schools, countering parents’ concerns over specific LGBTQ+ materials present in school libraries.
WALZ’S MANAGEMENT OF BLM PROTESTS AND STRICT COVID MEASURES UNDER SCRUTINY FOLLOWING HARRIS’ VP SELECTION
Transgender activists participating in a protest. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
The bill also prohibits the removal of books authored by or concerning LGBTQ+ individuals and minorities.
In 2023, Walz advanced a law prohibiting “conversion therapy,” which barred counselors from withholding recommendations for transgender surgeries or hormonal treatments for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria.
A significant aspect of his transgender policy agenda is legislation requiring free menstrual products in all public school bathrooms. Commonly referred to as the “tampon law,” it mandates that schools provide tampons and pads at no cost for grades 4 through 12 to accommodate transgender students.
Following the announcement of Harris selecting Walz as her running mate, supporters of former President Trump began to refer to him as “Tampon Tim.”
“She actually picked Tampon Tim,” Trump campaign adviser Stephen Miller tweeted following the announcement.
HARRIS EMBRACING ‘PRO-HAMAS,’ ‘PROGRESSIVE’ Factions OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY WITH WALZ VP SELECTION: GOP STRATEGIST
Walz has advocated for numerous transgender policies.
Walz also stands against the traditional understanding of marriage as being solely between one man and one woman, aligning himself further with the progressive side of the Democratic Party, which argues that this definition is outdated and discriminates against non-traditional couples.
During his time as a U.S. House representative in 2012, Walz opposed a proposed constitutional amendment that sought to define marriage strictly as a union between one man and one woman. He asserted that limiting rights for any group is unconstitutional, stating, “I think we can do better.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Walz also played a significant role in backing legislation that recognizes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories under federal hate crime laws.
Currently, Harris and Walz are campaigning across battleground states to engage with voters, having already initiated attacks on the Trump-Vance campaign.
